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Pet Sitter Emergency Preparation and Safety with Hurricane Sandy Raw Footage [video]

As those of us on the East Coast brace for the worst of Hurricane Sandy, it begs the question what professional pet sitters do to keep their furry clients safe and sound?

My home in New Jersey (monmouth county) was issued a mandatory evacuation, and now I am sitting safely in an apartment in Brooklyn.

Running to the super market yesterday (as most news people instructed) for batteries, candles, food and water was a sight to see!

It was packed and crowded with many patrons in ‘fight or flight’ mode. And all the D batteries were sold out!

In any case, I feel very confident with my location and with the amenities I have should power go out. I also have a full tank of gas (again, as suggested by the pros) but aren’t sure where I’d be required to drive in a completely flooded area.

How Do You Prepare For the Worst?

Here is a short 90-second video I just shot out the front door of the apartment in Brooklyn.

Things are just starting to pick up with the worst of it slated for later tonight.

Please share in the comments below: How do you as a professional pet sitter prepare for disaster, emergency or evacuation?

What do your current clients expect and/or receive from you in such situations?

Bottom Line: Be Safe!

I hope everyone in an affected area stays safe and sound, and that all furry creatures are properly cared for!

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. . .

Josh Cary is a respected and well sought-after speaker and business consultant within the professional pet care industry. Since 2009, having grown his own pet sitting business, Josh provides his industry with the tools, support, and resources to build and maintain a thriving and respected pet business.

With a strong focus on digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and website development, Josh’s one mission is to help you Get Found First through a professional and effective website.

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This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. Stay safe. I take it your car isn’t in an attached garage…where you can use it to keep your phone charged when it gets low….

    1. Hey Dedi. Great idea, I didn’t even think about being able to use my car to potentially charge my phone. (Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that…!)

  2. Nice to match a face now – Im here in Northern Va and I’m currently experiencing what you are – Getting ready to head out while i still can to set up some cat clients to get thru at about 24 hours or so – No dogs except my own

    thanks God – All i can say is be safe and your safety comes first

    Good luck every one its going to be a zinger

    Laura – PETSRME

    1. Laura – LOL I know what you mean about matching face to name! If you search for ‘video’ on this blog (near top right side) you will see some other videos I have recorded. I always intend to record more.

      In any case, I just heard that this storm is literally the most severe in recorded history!?! Wind is currently picking up here so I imagine each hour will progress more intense. Worst case, power goes out, and I have plenty of food and water. Just need shelter to hold up 🙂

      More updates as hours move along… Be safe too.

  4. Just got back in and its getting crazy out there – We are all stocked up and ready for the upcoming power outage – – MY cell phone has been on charger non stop since sunday and if i don’t chit chat on it I’m good for at least 2 days – i have a land line also and the old style phones work on those when power goes out

    1. Hey Laura, Hope you made it through A-OK! The worst (thankfully) we experienced was a one day power outage. Those close by here in NY were not as lucky.

  6. I did not have an emergency evacuation plan when the forest fire of 2011 caused the evacuation of 10,000 people (25% of our population). Running from smoke and fire with high winds and 105 degree temperatures with my own dogs was apocalyptic as the entire area where I live was buzzing with horse trailers, pick ups and law enforcement getting every living being out. I also had to be escorted to client homes to evacuate the pets in my care and I called clients who were home to help them.

    After that week I now require every client to provide me with local emergency contacts I can call for evacuation assistance and they must all have crates suitable for their pets. The crates must have the owner’s contact information on them. I coach the client on familiarizing their pets with the crates – especially cats! Microchipping is the best thing any pet owner can do to find their lost pet and I encourage my clients to do this, in addition to ID tags.

    Use towels, blankets and leather gloves to help capture the stressed out pets and protect yourself. Contact your local law enforcement to see where pet shelters are being established during emergency evacuation. (If you are able, volunteer at one!) Take leashes, food and water to keep with the pets and cover the crates with the blankets (or sheets in warm weather) to reduce stress.

    1. Wow, yea, sometimes it takes an emergency to be able to finally put some elements in place. Thanks so much for your comment!

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