Disaster Preparedness

Long Beach, CA – In recognition of National Pet Preparedness Month this June, the City of Long Beach is providing residents with a variety of educational resources, tips and tools about how pets fit into family disaster planning to help address the challenges families and their pets may face during an emergency. Residents are encouraged to include their pets in family emergency plans and disaster kits.  

“Pets are completely dependent on their owners and are cherished members of many families, so including them in our family emergency preparedness plans is important to ensuring the entire household is prepared,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “During Pet Preparedness Month, we encourage residents to gather the essential pet supplies they will need before a disaster happens and create an evacuation plan that includes your pet.”  

The Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications and Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) are sharing the following preparedness tips to help the safety and wellbeing of pets. 

How to prepare your pets for an emergency: 

• Keep veterinarian information and vaccination records in a safe place. 
• Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information. Pet ID tags should contain your name, telephone number and any urgent medical needs. 
• Microchip pets as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted under the skin in the animal's shoulder area and can be read by a scanner at most animal shelters. 
• Bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm, fireworks or other disasters. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home in a crisis. 
• Lower a pet's anxiety with the use of pheromones. These products come in various forms, such as a wipe, spray, collar or diffuser. It is recommended to allow the pet to experience the pheromones before the actual stress-producing event occurs. 

What to include in your pets' emergency kit: 

• At least seven days of food and water. 
• A photo of you with your pet that can help reunify you or prove ownership in the event you become separated from your pet. 
• Any paperwork with registration information or ID numbers. 
• Replace old food and medication and update photos and emergency contact information annually. 
• Sanitation materials such as litter/litter box, paper towels, plastic trash bags and a small hand shovel. 
• Pet toys, treats or bedding to help reduce stress. 
• A collar with an ID tag. 
• A crate or pet carrier.  

“During a disaster, loud noise, flashing lights, strong smells and sudden changes in weather conditions can be especially stressful and confusing for pets” said Reggie Harrison, Director of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department. “Keep your pet calm by bringing them inside and providing their favorite comfort items and familiar activities.”  

In addition, the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is teaming up with LBACS and community partners to further bring awareness to this important topic and host the following community events for residents and their pets throughout June. All events are free and open to the public. 

• Annual "Adopt-Don't-Shop" Campaign - The first 100 adoptions made through LBACS, either at the main facility or at an offsite adoption event, in the month of June will receive a free pet emergency preparedness kit (limit one kit per adoption). 
• Foster the 4th Kickoff Event - Join us for information and resources at this adoption and fostering event held at LBACS on Sunday, June 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees will meet the adoptable animals available for fostering and discuss ways to prevent shelter overcrowding leading up to and during the Fourth of July holiday, where often times animal shelter admissions spike as a result of runaway dogs and cats due to fireworks. 
• KLOS Pet Adoption Day – Hosted by 95.5 KLOS in partnership with spcaLA on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, adjacent to LBACS building (7700 E. Spring St.). This adoption event will feature fun for the whole family including waived adoption fees, a silent auction, fun booths, food trucks, giveaways and free parking.    

“One of our main priorities is to ensure that people and pets stay together, especially during times of crisis,” said Melanie Wagner, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau Manager. “Pets separated from their families can be devastating for everyone involved. It can happen at any time, but especially during firework season or from disorientation caused by a disaster. I encourage people to prepare their pets now and also familiarize themselves with the other pets in their community. Often, an animal's best chance of getting reunited is by the people in our own neighborhoods.” 

About the City of Long Beach     
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach. 

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit  longbeach.gov. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is available at  longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness. Follow on social at @LBDisasterPrep on Facebook and lnstagram. More information about LBACS is available at longbeach.gov/acs and on social at @LBAnimalCare on lnstagram, Facebook and X.