Disaster Preparedness for Your Pets

LINKS

FEMA – Helping Pets
Ready.gov – Pets and Animals
ASPCA – Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Supplies and Pet Traveling Kits

Keep an Evac-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry.

Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:

• Water, water & more water
  at least 7 days’ worth of bottled water for each person and pet
  
• Food
  Enough food for at least a week if not longer
  Store in water tight containers
  Only use canned food if desperate
  Remember: Changing diets leads to diarrhea and dehydration
• Proper Transport
  A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
  Remember: Food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless
• Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include, or visit the ASPCA Store to buy one online)
• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are work great)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Extra harness and leash (Note: harnesses are recommended for safety and security)
• Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
• Flashlight
• Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
• Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make “Lost” posters)
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
• Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week’s worth of cage liner
• You should also have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Items to include: Batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.

Make sure your pets are microchipped and up to date on vaccinations.