Protecting Pets from Disasters
Our founder’s book Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses devoted a chapter to protecting pets from disasters. She cited an American Humane Society study titled “Nearly Half of Americans Won’t Flee Without Fido,” which found that respondents would ignore evacuation orders and decline rescue assistance if forced to leave their pets behind.
We appreciate their sentiments—pets are at elevated risk during disasters. On 9/11, our founder’s Battery Park City neighbors entered evacuated apartments to rescue pets whose owners worked in midtown Manhattan and couldn’t return home. Pets have been left behind, homeless, or worse following hurricanes and other storms, which is why we must take proactive measures to protect them, just as we protect our families and small businesses.
Always Learning, Always Improving
Our philosophy is that disaster resilience is a work in progress—we’re always learning and improving. The blog on this website presents additional information about pet disaster safety that couldn’t fit in the book or represents new learning after the second edition was published.
We have a digital platform for disaster resilience planning that allows small business owners to build robust plans and train their employees. The platform includes a module on protecting pets. We also offer tools under the Coco and Henry® brand to help small businesses and households implement pet preparedness measures.
A Cause Close to Our Hearts
Prisere is a pet-friendly workplace. Our founder’s two cocker spaniels, Coco and Henry, have even raised funds to support animal rescue. The Wall Street Journal cited our advice on considering pets’ needs in estate planning.
We have a responsibility to care for vulnerable populations at elevated risk from disasters, including the elderly, infants and children, disabled persons, and pets. The Coco and Henry® products, including a pet disaster go kit, make it easier to prepare.
If your small business serves pets—such as a veterinary clinic, pet grooming service, or pet products retailer—you would do your clients a great service by sharing this information.
Learn more about the Coco and Henry® products, or place an order.
