[caption id="attachment_48789" align="alignleft" width="200"] Photo: Vanessa L.[/caption]

June is designated by the American Humane Association as National Pet Preparedness Month to remind pet owners to include pets in their emergency plans.

A natural disaster can happen at any time, but this month especially, it is important to be prepared. June marks the first month of hurricane season, but our area is no stranger to tornadoes or floods either.  Would you know what to do with your pet should a disaster hit? Below are five essential items that should be included in your disaster preparedness kit.

1. Food, Water, and Bowls

2. Leash and Collar

3. Immunization and Pet Records

4. Photo of your pet/ID and a photo of you with your pet

5. Pet Carrier

Severe weather can happen at anytime. According to the Ready.gov, "floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States, however not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain."

This week we had substantial rain which caused downed trees, loss of electricity, and closed roadways. Even if this weather didn't affect you, it is still important for you and your family to have an emergency plan in place. Visiting the Ready.gov website is a great place to start. Here you will find a list of natural disasters and specific advice for preparation.

For more information on this topic, click here.