Pets & Disaster

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Be Prepared

BEFORE A DISASTER:

Since you never know when an accident/disaster will happen, keeping a pet emergency kit at your home is a good idea.  A smaller kit could be used in the car.  You can put a first aid kit together yourself and buy the items separately, or buy one ready-made.  If you make one yourself, use a small plastic tub with a tight fitting lid to store the following items.  Prepare a grab-n-go evacuation kit for each pet.   

  • 2-week supply of food with instructions (change the food supply every 6 months)

  • 2-week supply of water (change the water supply every 6 months). 

  • Cage/carrier - one for each pet, labeled with your contact information, and out-of-area contact information.

  • Familiarize your pet with the carrier before an emergency

  • Can opener (manual)

  • Comb/brush

  • Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership in water proof document holder (zip lock bag works well)

  • Muzzle or roll of gauze for making a muzzle

  • Magnifying glass

  • Nail clippers and metal nail file

  • Stypic powders or Kwik Stop, or cornstarch

  • Eye dropper or oral syringe

  • Cotton swabs or balls

  • Clean towels – cloth and paper

  • Towel or blanket to use as a stretcher, another to keep your dog warm during transport

  • First aid tape, bandage rolls

  • Wound disinfectant such as Betadine or Nolvasan

  • Triple antibiotic ointment for skin

  • Eye wash solution

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl for allergic reactions)

  • Ear cleaning solution

  • Current ID tags & microchip paperwork

  • Disinfectants

  • Favorite toys and treats

  • Medications (drug name, dosage, and frequency of dosing)

  • No spill food and water dishes

  • Pet first aid book

  • Two current photos of your pet with you in the photo

  • Veterinarian's contact information

  • Collars/Leashes, Poop bags 

Consider keeping a separate emergency collar and leash for each pet at your bedside.  An emergency can create fear and confusion in your pet which will make it difficult to secure your pet.  You don't want to be left searching the house for your pet in an emergency/disaster!

In the event of a major emergency or disaster, you might be required to leave your home for an extended, or even permanent amount of time.  Many of us have dogs, cats and other pets.  In these uncertain times, our pets are often at an even greater risk of danger than we are.  The best thing we can do for our pets as well as ourselves is to be equipped to care for them in an emergency situation.  Though only a small investment to prepare an emergency kit for your pet, it can make a big difference in the event of an emergency! 

If you must evacuate, do not leave your pet behind. Leaving your pet at home alone will place your pet at greater risk for injury or loss.

PREPARE A DISASTER PLAN

  • Develop an evacuation plan and practice the plan!

  • Make calls now to determine available boarding facilities and their requirements.

  •  Do not plan on leaving your pet outside or in an unattended vehicle.

  •  Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current, especially for rabies.

  •  If you live in an apartment, make sure your pet is on record with management.

  •  In case you are not at home when disaster strikes, make arrangements in advance for a trusted person, like a neighbor, to take your pet and meet you at a specified location.

  •  Put stickers on front and back doors to notify others that pets are on your property.

  • Talk to your veterinarian about their disaster preparedness plan.

  • Prepare this list now before disaster strikes. Keep one copy near your telephone and one copy in your pet evacuation kit:

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Have a list ready in your phone. Program “I.C.E” (in case of emergency) numbers into your phone and family members’ phones. If someone is injured, emergency personnel can use these numbers to notify friends and family. Emergency contacts should include Fire Dept, Police Dept, Ambulance, Local Animal Shelter, Animal Poison Control

  • Internet websites for Lost & Found

  • Agree on a family meeting place, both in your neighborhood and out of town, in case you cannot get in touch or are unable to go home.

  • Prepare a family contact sheet with the names, addresses and phone numbers of important contacts. Include an out-of-town contact for family members to get in touch with when they are unable to contact other family members. Often, during disasters, it’s easier to make long-distance calls than local calls.

  • Subscribe to alert services. Many communities have systems that will send out text messages and emails with the latest information during a disaster. Visit your local emergency management website to sign up.

  • Local & out-of-area veterinarians, hotels and boarding facilities that allow pets