Although we've been talking about getting ourselves and our families prepared, many people forget about the furrier members of their families - their pets! If an emergency comes up where we need to live off our food storage, we will likely not the means to obtain extra food and water for our pets. We don't want them to go hungry, and should prepare likewise.
- The first thing we should do is make sure our pet has some form of identification. In the instance of smaller pets, like birds, fish, snakes, hamsters, etc., there aren't many identifiers we can use. However, if we have dogs or cats, we can make sure that they at least have a collar with identification that is up to date. You can also look into getting a microchip for your pet in the instance that you are separated. You can find out more information about animal microchips here.
- The next thing to do is to assemble a preparedness/disaster kit for each of your pets. The following is a list of needs for your pet's basic disaster kit:
- Animal food and water for at least five days. If your pet's food comes in a can, make sure to have a can opener so you can still get to the food. Although, depending on the size and type of animal, pets may not need a whole gallon of water per day (like people do), it is safest to keep an extra gallon on hand per pet per day.
- Medication and medical records. If your pet has a prescription medication it takes, add an extra month's worth to your kit, and keep it in a waterproof container or bag.
- An animal first aid kit that is portable and easily accessible.
- Garbage bags, litter box, extra litter, sanitary gloves. It is best to stay as sanitary as possible during an emergency, so you will need a way to take care of all your pets' waste in a clean way.
- Leashes, Harnesses, and carriers. You may need to transport your pets during an emergency, and you will want to have something to prevent them from running away or getting lost. You may also need blankets or towels for bedding and warmth.
- Current photos of you with your pets and a description of your pets. This is important if you get separated from your pets so others can help you identify them, and also so you can prove that they are yours once they're found.
- Written information about your pet's feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior issues, and veterinarian information. There may be instances where your pet needs to be boarded or placed in foster care temporarily if your own shelter does not accept pets (more on this below), and it is important for the workers to know this information.
- One or two toys. This is important for the same reason we suggest adding a toy in a child's emergency kit - to decrease the stress that will accompany a disaster. Find toys that can easily be carried or stored without taking up too much space and weight.
- You may also need to find in advance a safe place for your pet to stay in case your own home becomes uninhabitable. Some of the shelters offered during emergencies do not allow pets, and it would be a good idea to have a place in mind that would be a safe place for your pet to stay. This can include friends' or relatives' homes, hotels or motels outside your local area, or animal boarding and veterinary facilities.
- Finally, gather a list of addresses and phone numbers of local animal shelters now. If a disaster does strike and you are separated from your pets, they will often be taken to animal shelters, and you may not have access to the internet or directories to look up the information after the fact.
Our pets are members of our families, and it is important to include them in your emergency preparedness. For those who have horses or other farm animals, the Humane Society has also provided a list of tips for disaster preparation for them. (For horses, see here. For general farm animals, see here.)
What extra things have you done for your pet's preparedness that are beneficial for you?
