The Californer - Long Beach Encourages Residents to Include Pets in Emergency Plans During Pet Preparedness Month

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Above: Four-legged friends participate in the City of Long Beach's Annual Tsunami Walk in March 2025.

Long Beach, CA — In recognition of National Pet Preparedness Month, the City of Long Beach is encouraging residents to include their pets in emergency planning. Throughout June, the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DPEC), in partnership with Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) and other local organizations, will provide resources, preparedness tips and educational opportunities to better protect pets before and during an emergency.

"Preparedness is about protecting your loved ones, including the pets who depend on us every day," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Taking a few simple steps now can help families make informed, confident decisions during emergencies and ensure pets remain safe, cared for and accounted for."

For many households, pets are considered family, and one of the most important steps to ensuring their safety is to have a plan in place. Considering the unique needs of pets during disasters such as evacuations, extreme heat or rain events can help reduce stress and improve safety outcomes for both pets and pet parents.

Throughout June, the City and its community partners will host the following free events for the public to learn more about pet preparedness. All events are free and open to the public:

California's "Adopt-a-Pet" Day – This adoption and fostering event was held at Long Beach Animal Care Services (7700 E. Spring St.) onSaturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pet adoption fees were waived during the event, and adopters received free pet emergency kits and resources with pet preparedness tips to take home with their new pets.
CAMP Mobile Wellness Clinic – The Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP) mobile Wellness Waggin' will be at Long Beach Animal Care Services to provide low-cost pet wellness and vaccination services throughout the month of June (no appointment needed; visit the CAMP calendar for dates and times). DPEC staff will be on-site June 16 and June 23 to share pet preparedness tips and resources.
Learn from Pet Pros – DPEC staff will chat with animal care providers and pet owners throughout the month to share guidance on evacuation planning, anxiety reduction and preventative care to keep pets safe during emergencies and stressors, like the Fourth of July and other celebrations that involve fireworks and other loud noises. Interviews can be viewed on the DPEC website and @LBDisasterPrep on Facebook, Instagram and X.

"One of the lessons learned from the Garden Grove evacuation last month was that most residents are reluctant to leave their homes without their pets," said Reginald Harrison, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. "Taking time now to prepare for emergencies and think through evacuation options in advance, can better position families and their pets to respond quickly and safely during emergencies."

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The City encourages residents to take the below proactive steps to prepare pets for emergencies.

How to prepare your pets for an emergency:

Keep veterinary and vaccination records in a safe place.
Make sure all pets wear collars with up-to-date ID tags with your name, telephone number and any urgent medical needs.
Consider microchipping your pets as a more permanent form of identification.
Bring pets inside during extreme weather or fireworks, as pets can become disoriented and wander away from home in a crisis.
Use soothing products with pheromones in advance of known stressors.

What to include in your pets' emergency kit:

Ample food, water and, if applicable, medication for at least five days.
A photo of you with your pet(s) 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.
- Leash, collar with ID tag and a carrier or crate.
- Sanitation items such as litter/litter box, waste bags and paper towels.
- Familiar items, like toys, treats and bedding, to help reduce anxiety.

Taking action today helps ensure you and your loved ones, including your pets, are ready together no matter the disaster. The Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications reminds residents of five essential steps to be ready for any disaster:

Get Alerts to Stay Informed. Sign up for Alert Long Beach to receive emergency notifications from the City of Long Beach via phone, email or text.
Make a Plan. Develop a family emergency plan (English, Spanish), including considerations for your pets, to help you think ahead about what steps you can take to keep your household safe during an emergency.
Pack a Go Bag. Prepare an emergency bag with at least five days worth of your family's essential items.
Learn Basic First Aid. Take a CPR class from the American Red Cross, join the Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), or the Long Beach Police Explorers Program.
Help Friends and Neighbors. Following a disaster, first responders may not be immediately available to respond to your neighborhood. Participate in the Ready Your Long Beach Neighborhood program and plan with your friends and neighbors on how you will support one another after a disaster, once it's safe to do so.

About the City of Long Beach

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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, 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. For more information about the City's disaster preparedness topics and resources, visit longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness and follow @LBDisasterPrep on Facebook, Instagram and X.

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