June marks National Pet Preparedness Month, and both the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) and DC Health are encouraging pet owners to prepare for emergencies. Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health, emphasized the importance of including pets in emergency plans: "Emergency preparedness must include every member of the family—including our pets."
The BVSPCA and DC Health have collaborated to offer guidance on how pet families can be ready for unexpected situations. Their recommendations include microchipping pets and ensuring contact information is up-to-date, creating a pet emergency kit with essentials such as food, water, medications, vaccination records, and recent photos with the pet. They also advise making an emergency plan that identifies places accepting pets during disasters.
Adam Lamb, Chief Executive Officer of the Brandywine Valley SPCA, stated: "Pets are family. When disaster strikes, if it’s not safe for you to stay in your home, it’s not safe for your pet either." He urged pet owners to act now so no pet is left behind when disaster occurs.
Additional resources on planning for pet emergencies can be found at bvspca.org/dc.
The Brandywine Valley SPCA was established in 1929 and operates as the largest animal welfare organization in its region. It serves three states plus the District of Columbia and has achieved a notable 93% live release rate in 2024. The organization manages open-admission no-kill shelters in Pennsylvania and Delaware while providing animal care services through a contract with DC Health.
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