Directions for prevention (29) Prepare to evacuate with your pets

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　Many homes have pets. During the Great East Japan Earthquake, some pet owners returned to their homes to evacuate their pets, only to be killed by the tsunami. Many dogs and cats were separated from their owners in the chaos.

　Based on these lessons learned, the Ministry of the Environment established a guideline for pet rescue in 2013. The guideline put forth the principle of evacuation with pets in the event of a disaster.

　It was subsequently revised in 2018 to clarify that owners are responsible for protecting the health and safety of their pets. Owners are required to train their pets to be quiet in their cages and to defecate in designated areas, as well as to provide pet supplies such as toilet sheets and pet food.

　It is important to participate in local disaster drills to confirm evacuation routes and at the same time let local residents know about evacuating with their pets.