Emergency Preparedness

Why you need a plan!

People shelter do not accept pets.
Leaving your pet behind means you may never see them again.
Your pet is not any better equipped to survive than you are.
There is no way to judge how long it will be before you are allowed to return home.
Pets will not survive drinking contaminated water or a lack of food.

Leaving your home in advance of a storm will allow you the opportunity to have all the items needed for an extended stay from home. This will also allow you to make hotel arrangements (make sure they are pet friendly), arrangements with family or friends or boarding arrangements for your pets in a safe area.

Pet Kit

Food-at least 3 days worth for each pet
Water-at least 3 days worth for each pet.
Medications that your pet is currently taking
Food bowl(s)
Water bowl(s)
Bed(s)
Toys
Vaccination history
Photos of you with your pet
Name and number of your veterinarian
Manual can opener
Leashes and collars for each pet
Crate(s)
First aid kit
Treats
Cat litter with pan and scoop
Newspaper or pee training pads for crate liners
Paper towels
Trash bags

Crates and Carriers

Make sure you pets are comfortable with being put in a carrier, especially cats. Animals can sense anxiety, which can cause them to resist being put in the crate or run from you. Try to stay calm during the evacuation process. You will need one carrier per cat. Trying to put two cats in one is difficult and could cause one or both to escape. Dogs that must stay in an shelter type situation during an evacuation are using kept in crate. Crate training ahead of time will reduce stress. Always be sure your crate is large enough for the dog to be able to turn around, stand and lay down comfortably.

Horses need to be trained to load in a trailer before an emergency occurs. Horses that refuse to load can become dangerous to the handlers who will then be forced to leave the animal behind. If you do not own a trailer, make arrangements ahead of time with someone who can move them for you.

Identification

All dogs and cats should have an ID tag securely attached to their collars with either a metal ring or riveted to the collar. This tag should include your pet's name, your name, address and a current phone number. If possible also include your cell number since you will not be home to accept a home call. Just be sure that is your cell number changes, your tag changes.

All dogs and cats should be microchipped. This way in the event the collar is lost, the microchip will have your information, Be sure you microchip is registered and the information is current. Just because your pet was microchipped does not mean someone registered it.

In the event your animal is not microchipped, you can write down your information, place it in a zip lock baggie and secure it to the pet's collar, you can write your name and number with a Sharpie on a nylon collar or place a temporary collar that has your information written on it on your pet, be sure this collar is safely secured around the neck. Microchipping is always the safest, most reliable method of identification.

Emergency Preparedness