Easton, MD - In recognition of Pet Preparedness Month, Talbot County Emergency Services (DES) and Talbot Humane encourage all pet owners to include pets in their emergency plans to ensure complete family readiness during an emergency or disaster.
“When preparing for the unexpected, it’s important to remember that our pets are part of the family too,” said Madison Loker. “Making sure they have an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, and even a favorite toy can help reduce stress and keep them safe. Planning ahead means we’re looking out for all our loved ones—furry, feathered, finned, or scaled.”
DES asks to keep the following preparedness tips in mind to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of pets.
How to prepare your pets for an emergency:
- Make a plan: Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. In Talbot County, our emergency shelter IS pet friendly, but DES recommends and encourages all people and pets to try to relocate to a friend or family’s house during an emergency.
- Have your pet microchipped: Make sure to keep your address and phone number up to date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
- Contact your local emergency management office (DES), animal shelter or animal control office (Talbot Humane) to get additional advice and information if you’re unsure how to care for your pet in case of an emergency.
- Build an Emergency Kit for your pet.
What to include in your pet’s emergency kit:
- At least seven (7) days of food and water, and any required medication;
- A photo of you with your pet that can help prove ownership in the event you become separated;
- Any paperwork with registration information or ID numbers;
- A collar with an ID;
- Sanitation materials such as litter, a litter box, paper towels, plastic trash bags;
- Familiar items like toys, treats, or bedding to make your pet more comfortable; and
- A crate or pet carrier.
More recommended tips, including a kit checklist, can be found at ready.gov/pets.
“Helping our residents and pets during an emergency is extremely important to our organization,” says Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, Executive Director, Talbot Humane . “You would be quite surprised to see how many people choose not to evacuate and cite their pet as a reason. We want to make sure individuals have all the resources they need to be prepared for an emergency.”
In addition, DES is teaming up with Talbot Humane to bring further awareness to this important topic by hosting the following community events for residents and their pets. All events are free and open to the public:
- Donation Drive: DES is collecting items for Talbot Humane throughout June to bring awareness to the needs of animals during emergencies. The following items are requested: kitten food, unscented baby wipes, dog food, blankets, kitten supplies, pet treats, cleaning supplies, or pet bowls. Donation drop boxes can be found at the St. Michaels Community Center, the Talbot County Free Library in Easton, and the Talbot County Community Center in Easton.
- Pet Preparedness Workshop and Adoption Event: On Friday, June 27, 2025, DES will host a workshop to help community members understand how to keep their pets safe during emergencies. The event will be held at the Talbot County Free Library in Easton, starting at 10:00 am. Educators will discuss emergency planning, must-have supplies, and more. After the workshop, Talbot Humane will hold a pet adoption event.
- Awareness Campaign: Follow along on Facebook at @talbotdes as they share tips, tricks, and community resources throughout the month. Share your favorite posts to spread the word!
The importance of pet preparedness cannot be overstated. In times of crisis, people often leave their pets behind, leaving community animal shelters overwhelmed. Being prepared and understanding the community resources available are the best steps that residents can take to ensure their families and pets are ready for emergencies.
