With fires burning across California, pet owners should plan now rather than later for disaster care of their animals, according to the Insurance Information Network of California.

"There have been instances where people have lost their lives because they refused to leave their pets behind when ordered to evacuate," said IINC Executive Director Candysse Miller. "To avoid leaving a pet to fend for itself, it is important to include pets in the family disaster plan."

IINC offers the following tips to protect your pets during a disaster:

Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time 
Though most public shelters will not accept pets, many communities will open special shelters for animals. In order to plan ahead for the security of your pets:

--Ask your local humane society or emergency management agency for information regarding disaster shelters for pets.

--Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets or visit online pet travel resources to identify pet-friendly hotels.

--Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians outside your area that might be able to shelter pets in an emergency.

--In the event you are not home when disaster strikes, make advance arrangements to have a friend or neighbor pick up your pets and meet you at a specified location.

Make a Disaster Kit for Your Pets
Just as you should have a disaster kit for your family, you should prepare a similar kit for your pets containing:

--Medication and medical records (including proof of rabies vaccination) in a waterproof container.

--Leashes, harnesses and carriers for transporting pets.

--A muzzle, if your pet requires one.

--Food and water for three days; a manual can opener. 

--If you have a cat, litter and a litter box.

--Current photo and description of your pet in case you become separated. Make sure your pet also has up-to-date identification.

--Name and phone number of your veterinarian.

--Insurance company contact information and policy number, if you have pet insurance.

After a Disaster
--Once you return home, do not allow your pets to roam loose right away. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations, so give them some time to get used to the surroundings.

--Be patient. Try to get your pets back into their normal routines, but be on the lookout for stress-related behavioral problems -- if these persist, talk to your veterinarian.

To learn more about protecting your pets during a disaster, visit the Humane Society of the United States; the American Red Cross; and the California Emergency Management Agency.

For more information about insurance, go to the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Humane Society of the United States
The American Red Cross
California Emergency Management Agency