Natural disasters and weather emergencies can strike without warning. Households in Kirkland face the risk of earthquakes, severe storms, and even house fires. In these chaotic situations, frightened pets may escape or get separated from their families. Sadly, many lost pets never make it home simply because they lack reliable identification. Finn Hill Animal Hospital encourages pet owners to prepare for emergencies with microchipping, so your pet has reliable identification when a disaster strikes.

Emergencies Put Pets at Risk of Getting Lost

• Earthquakes: Pets may panic at shaking and loud noises, bolting from homes through damaged doors or windows.
• Severe storms: Thunder, high winds, and fallen trees can frighten pets, causing them to run away.
• House fires: In the chaos of evacuation, pets may slip out of collars or escape through open doors.

Even the most well-trained pets can panic in these scenarios. Reuniting with them becomes much harder without proper identification.

Identification Options for Pets

Collars and ID Tags
Every pet should wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your current phone number. Reflective tags are especially useful during power outages or nighttime rescues. The downside is that collars and tags can fall off, break, or be removed. If there is a disaster that causes your pet to run off, they might not even have a collar on.

Microchipping
A microchip is a tiny device placed under your pet’s skin. Each chip can be read by a scanner at veterinary clinics and animal shelters. Once registered, the microchip connects your pet to your contact information. Unlike collars or tags, microchips can’t be lost. Studies show that microchipped pets are returned to their families far more often than those without.

Extra Preparedness Tips for Families in Kirkland

When large-scale emergencies strike, shelters often take in dozens or even hundreds of displaced pets. Without reliable ID, it’s nearly impossible to match pets with their families. Microchipping and ID tags in combination provide quick, accurate proof of ownership. Choosing to get both means a higher chance of reunion if an earthquake causes your pet to run or a house fire separates you.

In addition to ID and microchipping, families can reduce the risk of losing pets in emergencies by:

• Keeping carriers and leashes accessible for quick evacuation.
• Practicing evacuation drills with pets so they’re used to carriers and vehicles.
• Taking photos regularly to create lost flyers if needed.
• Storing veterinary records, the most recent rabies certificate, and licensing documentation in a safe, waterproof pouch. Take it with you in the event of an emergency as proof of ownership
• and vaccination status if required by shelters.

Prepare Your Pet with Microchipping in Kirkland, WA

Disasters like earthquakes, storms, and fires can’t be predicted, but preparation can save lives. Collars, ID tags, and especially microchips are simple ways to protect your pets when the worst happens. Finn Hill Animal Hospital has microchipping services in Kirkland for cats and dogs from Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, and neighboring Washington areas. We strongly recommend microchipping for all pets as part of your family’s emergency preparedness plan. Contact us to schedule a microchipping appointment.