THE CANINE EVACUATION RESPONSE SYSTEM™

Natural Disaster Preparedness for Dogs: How to Keep Your Pet Safe in Emergencies

Vancouver • Lower Mainland • Vancouver Island

March 21 | In-Person Workshop | Limited Capacity

British Columbia is not “if.”
It’s “when.”

Earthquakes.
Wildfires.
Flooding.
Infrastructure failure.

If you live in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, or on Vancouver Island, you already know the risks — but knowing the risks is not the same as being prepared.

Why Natural Disaster Preparedness for Dogs Matters

When evacuation orders come, there is no extra time for pets.

And dogs that panic, bolt, or shut down don’t get second chances.

This workshop is built for BC pet owners who want to evacuate safely with their dog — not leave them behind.

Why BC Pet Owners Need a Different Level of Preparedness

British Columbia presents unique evacuation challenges:

Earthquakes with little to no warning
Wildfires that escalate in minutes, not hours
Flooding that cuts off highways and rural access
Ferries, bridges, and bottlenecks that trap families
Emergency shelters that are not dog-ready
Smoke, debris, noise, crowds, and chaos that overwhelm dogs

Most dogs are not prepared for this environment.
Most owners don’t realize that until it’s too late.

This workshop closes that gap.

What You Will Learn (BC-Specific, Real-World)

Natural Disaster Risks for Dogs in the Lower Mainland

1. The Reality of Disasters in BC

How quickly evacuations actually unfold in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island
Why waiting “just a bit longer” is the #1 evacuation failure
What happens to dogs when routines collapse suddenly

Create a Dog Emergency Plan & Build a Dog Emergency Kit

2. The Canine Evacuation Response System™

How to build a BC-ready canine evacuation go-bag
What items matter in earthquakes, wildfires, and floods
What most people pack wrong — and why it fails

Emergency preparedness organizations like the Canadian Red Cross recommend including pets in your household emergency plan and maintaining a pet evacuation kit.

Preparing Your Dog for Evacuations

3. Canine Stress & Survival Behaviour

Why dogs panic, freeze, or flee during disasters
How human stress transfers directly to your dog
How to stabilize your dog quickly under pressure

What to Do With Your Dog During a Disaster

4. Evacuation Control & Handling

Moving safely with your dog through crowds, smoke, darkness, and debris
Preventing bolting, leash failure, and reactivity
Keeping your dog manageable around responders and strangers

Reliable recall and leash skills are essential during an emergency. Professional training can help ensure your dog responds quickly in stressful situations.

After the Disaster: Helping Your Dog Recover

5. After the Event: What No One Teaches

Immediate post-disaster care for dogs
Injury prevention and basic canine first aid
Temporary shelter realities for dogs in BC

Final Natural Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Dog Owners

This Workshop Is For You If…

✔ You live in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, or Vancouver Island
✔ You would never abandon your dog in an emergency
✔ You want calm, control, and clarity — not panic
✔ You understand that loving your dog isn’t enough without preparation

This is disaster readiness for real life in British Columbia.

Led by Real Disaster Response Experience

This workshop is delivered by Hustle Up Dog Training, built on decades of:

Frontline disaster response
Canine behaviour under extreme stress
Evacuation realities — not theory

Everything taught is field-tested, practical, and designed for BC conditions.

March 21 Workshop Details

Serving Vancouver, White Rock, Lower Mainland & Vancouver Island Pet Owners
Date: March 21, 2026
Location: Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 0C3.

Time 11:15am - 5:30pm

Tickets: $180.00 (Early bird price: $160 on or before Feb 14, 2026)

Why You Should Act Now

Disasters in BC:

Do not give warnings
Do not wait for preparedness
Do not make exceptions for pets

Preparedness is not fear.
It’s responsibility.

Reserve Your Spot Now

This workshop runs with limited capacity and will fill.

Protect your dog.
Protect your family.
Be ready.

👉 Reserve Your Spot for March 21

“This is the only in-person canine disaster preparedness workshop of its kind currently available to pet owners in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and Vancouver Island.”

disaster preparedness for people and pets

6-Hour Workshop: Natural Disaster Preparedness

Brad Pattison — Disaster Response & Animal Rescue Specialist

Brad Pattison is a globally recognized disaster response leader, search-and-rescue trainer, and animal welfare advocate with more than two decades of frontline experience in some of the world’s most challenging crisis environments.

He first gained national attention during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (2005), when he deployed with a specialized team to assist and lead animal rescue efforts. During the Calgary Floods, his team delivered more than 6,000 pounds of emergency aid from Kelowna to affected communities. Since then, Brad has continued to lead large-scale disaster response operations across

North America and beyond, integrating human rescue expertise with a deep commitment to animal safety.

Brad’s work has been featured by CBC, The Globe and Mail, and numerous local and international media outlets. His teams have deployed to Hurricane Katrina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Haiti, assisting in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake, which claimed more than 160,000 lives. His teams also provided critical animal rescue operations following major storms and disasters. In 2020, Brad and Canadian rescue volunteers travelled to Australia to support wildlife rehabilitation teams during the country’s catastrophic bushfires. Brad’s team also led animal rescue efforts during the Gorman Mill Fire in West Kelowna, advising the SPCA on the capture and evacuation of domesticated pets and farm animals.

With formal training in search and locate, search and rescue operations, and disaster logistics, Brad brings a rare combination of field-tested expertise and compassionate leadership to every mission. His courses and programs focus on disaster preparedness, survival awareness, and animal safety—empowering pet owners and responders to act decisively when disaster strikes.

Natural Disaster Preparedness for Dogs – FAQ

What should be in a pet emergency kit?

A pet emergency kit should include food, water, medications, vaccination records, a leash & collar, waste bags, and a crate or carrier.

How do I evacuate with my dog during a disaster?

Use a secure crate, bring your emergency kit, and identify pet-friendly evacuation shelters ahead of time.

Can dogs sense natural disasters?

Dogs may react to changes in pressure, sound, or vibrations, but owners should rely on official emergency alerts.

Where can pets stay during evacuations?

Many emergency shelters allow pets, but it's best to research pet-friendly shelters and hotels in advance.