Keeping your pets and animals safe during wildfire season

Pets and animals, large or small, are important members of our families. Some people love their pets so much that during disasters they’ve been known to disregard their safety to keep their pets safe.

When you’re making your emergency plan, ensure you have a plan in place for your pets. Start with a list of items your pet would need if you had to evacuate quickly, and create a grab-and-go bag. You might include:

• Carrier or crate
• Collar, ID tags and leash (a microchip is strongly recommended)
• Bedding
• Food and bowls
• Medication and medical/vaccination records
• Litter box / doggie bags
• A favourite toy or two

You’ll also want to think ahead about where your pets could go if they can’t go with you. Some emergency shelters might not take pets. Ask friends or family if they could take your pets in. The BC SPCA can also help during emergencies, and might be able to connect you with foster homes or provide emergency boarding.

Prepare for your pets guide (PreparedBC)

Emergency Preparedness Week: BC SPCA reminds guardians of the importance of having a plan for their pets

Early wildfire season expected—don't wait for an emergency, get prepared! (BC SPCA)

Like humans, pets and animals can suffer from the effects of extreme heat and poor air quality. Our cats, dogs and other animals rely on us to make sound decisions about their health.

You can follow the same precautions for your pets as you do for yourself:

• Avoid vigorously exercising your pets in heat or when the air quality is poor.
• Walk your dog(s) early in the morning or late evening. Once temperatures reach 29°C or higher, pavement temperatures can climb as high as 57°C, which can burn paws. If you can’t hold your hand on the pavement for 5–10 seconds, then it’s too hot to walk your dog. Choose grassy or shady areas.
• Keep cats inside if you can. Smoke can stick to their fur which they might ingest when they groom.
• Keep your pets in a cool place and provide plenty of water. If outside, make sure they have access to shade (though they might not always seek it on their own).
• Note any unusual behaviour or health conditions. Contact your veterinarian if you’re worried.

Keep pets cool in the summer heat (BC SPCA)

Protecting vulnerable dogs from rising temperatures (BC SPCA)

Helping your pets in an air quality advisory (BC SPCA)

The Southern Interior is home to hundreds of farms that house horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens and other livestock.

We chatted with Sharlene Deverill-Franklin, an IH employee, whose family owns horses and pigs in the Twin Lakes area south of Penticton. She shared with us some of the ways her family prepares for natural disasters and protects their animals from heat and smoke.

During July’s heat wave, Sharlene’s family made mud puddles for the pigs to cool down in. “They literally jump into the mud and put their whole faces in,” says Sharlene. “I laugh, but it’s a lot of work keeping our animals cool.”

Sharlene says some of her horses don’t naturally seek out shade while in their paddock or pastures. To keep them cool, they set up misters. Water is kept continually running in troughs. “It’s a lot of water. But if we don’t keep the water cool, it’s like drinking soup. We also give our horses extra electrolytes,” she adds.

She adds that your horses shouldn’t be doing strenuous activity when it’s hot or smoky. Even if you can take them on trails, there’s a risk their horseshoes could spark on a rock and start a fire in tinder-dry conditions.

In 2023, her family was under an evacuation alert due to a fire above Twin Lakes. Sharlene recommends horse owners have a solid plan in place well in advance of an emergency.

“We made sure we had trailers on site. But you also want to make sure your horses are trailer trained,” she says. “We also had all our tack packed and ropes ready to go, along with extra hay, feed and medication. If you’re really concerned, you can evacuate your horses in advance.”

They had arranged to take their horses to a place in Summerland in case of an evacuation order. The pigs, which weigh about 100 lbs. each, had dog crates ready to go. A family friend also had permission to take the animal away if Sharlene’s family couldn’t access the farm.

If you don’t have a place to take your horses, Sharlene recommends connecting to Emergency Support Services, BC SPCA or, in the Okanagan Valley, the Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT). ALERT is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to preparing for and evacuating, rescuing and sheltering domestic animals and livestock.

One of her best pieces of advice is to stay calm. “Horses and other animals pick up on our energy and can sense danger,” she says. “If you have a plan in place, you’ll feel more ready, prepared and calm should you need to evacuate.”

Evacuation for household pets and horses (National Fire Protection Association)

If you’ve been evacuated and are returning home after a wildfire, take extra precautions around your home.

Fire retardant can accumulate in water around your home. Ensure your animals don’t drink water from puddles as they may contain fire retardants or fire residue. If your pet appears to be ill from ingesting fire retardants or fire residue, call or them to a veterinarian.

If you’re cleaning your home yourself, keep children and pets away while you’re cleaning.

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