This Saturday is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Today we’re sharing an updated version of the information we previously published about disaster preparedness.
Are you prepared? Do you have a disaster plan for your pets? With hurricane season just around the corner in our part of the country, National Pet Disaster Preparedness Day is a good time to check and see if you’re prepared in case of emergency.
Do you have ID? Collar with tag and registered microchip both give the maximum ability to get pets back who go astray during a disaster. If you have changed telephone numbers recently, verify that you have updated the number on tags and with the chip registry.
Do you have a disaster kit handy? Disaster kits are good to have on hand if you need to evacuate, and they are also filled with handy things in case disaster strikes and you are at home with local stores or delivery services not operating. A disaster kit should be in some kind of a durable bin or bag and contain:
- Food for at least five days. If you use dry food, package it in something airtight and rotate it every six months so it doesn’t go bad. Don’t forget to include bowls. Paper bowls are a good idea since they are lightweight and you don’t have to worry about cleaning them.
- Water for at least five days. You probably have this for yourself, but don’t forget your pets!
- Litterbox with litter, scoop, and trash bags to dispose of used litter. There are disposable litterboxes on the market. Disposable foil pans like you would use for making a turkey can work for this, too. If you plan ahead, you can sometimes find those on sale after the holidays when everyone is done turkey for the year.
- Medications and written instructions on how you give them, especially if your routine varies at all from what is on the prescription label. (If you cut pills in half and dose twice a day, for example)
- A copy of medical records, especially proof of recent vaccines. If you have to board your pet during an evacuation, you’ll need that documentation.
- Written information about feeding schedules and medical conditions that could be left with a boarding facility if necessary. You may have compiled this already for a pet sitter. If so, you can use a copy of the same information here.
- Current photos and descriptions of pets to use in case you are separated from them during a disaster. It’s a good idea to also have a photo of yourself with your pets for a quick proof of ownership. Tip: You can put all of the photos and other documentation on a thumb drive to make it compact rather than carrying it all on paper.
Do you have cat carriers for everyone? You may only take one or two cats to the vet at a time, but if you have more cats than that, make sure you have enough carriers to go around in case of evacuation. If you aren’t going to use the additional carriers for anything other than emergencies, less-expensive plastic carriers have the advantage of being stackable if you’re in tight quarters, and most of them break down for compact, nested storage.
Do you know where to go in case of evacuation? Not everyone is pet friendly, so it’s a good idea to ask around before you need to find a place to go in an emergency. Places you might go include:
- Local evacuation centers. Do the ones in your area make provisions for pets? More of them are including this in their contingency planning, but you should check before assuming that they do. Contact your local emergency management agency well ahead of a disaster — not after — to ask how to research this for your locality.
- A family member or friend in a nearby region or state who might accommodate you. It’s always better to ask now rather than showing up in their driveway in an emergency!
- Pet friendly hotels. Do you know where to find pet-friendly hotels? Several internet sites include listings, such as:
Keep in mind that when there is a disaster that causes an evacuation, lodging fills up fast.
What if you are away from home when disaster strikes? Talk to a trusted friend or neighbor in advance about helping evacuate and meet you with your pets in a safe location away from the disaster.
We all hope that disaster won’t strike us, but it’s best to be prepared and not need the plan than need a plan and have no idea what to do!
Summer says
We are NOWHERE near prepared enough!
Hannah and Lucy says
Fortunately we don’t have hurricanes – we have gales sometimes but they only last for a short time.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
The Island Cats says
This is some important information and makes us realize we are not prepared!
Madi says
What wonderful information and for sure living on the East Coast we have to aware of weather this time of year. Mom even puts me in my carrier when there is a bad tstorm.
Then she sits my me on the floor. Looks there is something brewing in the Atlantic and it is early in the season too
Hugs madi your bfff
Ellen Pilch says
Excellent post. I think I have enough crates to get everyone to safety, but some would have to share. One of these days I need to attempt a fire drill and try to gather all 15.
Melissa & Truffles says
Great tips! We’re not prepared enough either.
Fur Everywhere says
This is fantastic information! The Mom needs to write up how to give all our medications and foods and stuffs. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Brian Frum says
Great info! We like to think we’re prepared and we’ve had to practice a time or two when tornados were near by.
Crepes says
This is an awesome post! Luckily in Chicago we don’ thave much to worry about (knock on wood) in the way of disasters other than heavy rain sometimes, but we made sure to have carriers for everyone. The problem is – we don’t know who would carry them all since we outnumber the FODS 5 to 2. – Crepes.
da tabbies o trout towne says
guys….manee thanx for thiz post….itz filled with grate grate info N we noe
peepulz tend ta….. forgetz preparednezz….N panic later..
high paws guys N we hope ewe all stay safe this seezon az we noe itz gettin close two that
time ♥♥♥
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Great information! I need to work on putting together a kit!
Annabelle says
That tropical whatever brewing off of our coast right now is a definite reminder that anyone who has weather related woes (and who of us doesn’t?) needs to be ready.
Sweet Purrfections says
Thank you for this information. We’re like Summer – we are nowhere near prepared!
Connie says
I try to schedule all of my cats for their annual at the same time, that way I stay in practice to get them out of the house in a hurry if need be.
btw, that first photo.. freakin awesome
The Florida Furkids says
Good tips. We have a hurry cane box that has a lot of impawtent items in it so we can grab and go if we need to.
The Florida Furkids
Robin says
Excellent advice! You can never be too prepared. I like how you packed things in a tote like that. I might have to give that one a try. I’m updating all of my emergency kit materials. Luckily, in my area, we don’t have a very risk for a lot of natural disasters. It is still important to be prepared though.
William says
This is such good information. We’ve had a kit ever since 9/11, but my mom still worries how she might corral all five of us in a hurry.
Cathy Keisha says
Great post. We have stuff ready but the peeps would never get me into the PTU.
Kitties Blue says
Mom still hasn’t done this, which makes us nervous. She says that she and Dad have lived in the same six block radius for 40 years and house for 30 years without anything ever happening. She does want to do this, but we can’t seem to get her off her butt. Thanks for a reminder! XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
The Swiss Cats says
What a great and complete post ! We realized that were only half-prepared ! Purrs
Sabina Ayne says
My mom has the tote for emergencies but nothings in it! i will keep after her until she does this – especially since Tropical Storm Ana is crawling up the coast right now!Love, LadyBird
Savannah's Paw Tracks says
we have everything the humans need and most of what we cats need but we cats still need a lot more done for us to be totally prepared. Great post! And very relative given we had 4 earthquakes in the last week.