Disaster Preparedness for your Pet
Posted August 28 by FidoEarthquakes, Hurricanes and Other Disasters:
A natural disaster can strike at any time, no matter where you live. Whether an earthquake, storm or wild fire threatens your home, prepare for your pet’s well-being with a few weeks’ worth of food stored in an easy-to-grab container plus an ample supply of water. It’s one less thing to worry about while getting your family to a safe place. You can easily put together a well-stocked pet first aid kit using a waterproof container that opens and closes easily. Print out this checklist and keep within reach:
Disaster Kit
- Pet first-aid kit and guide book (see below)
- 3-7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
- Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
- Litter or paper toweling
- Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
- Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
- Pet feeding dishes
- Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
- Photocopies of medical records
- Waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
- Bottled water, at least 7 days' worth for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
- A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
- 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: Extra leash, toys and chew toys, a week's worth of cage liner.
- Rabies Certificates: Animals in pain may bite you. It is critical that you can provide evidence of your pet’s rabies vaccination at all times. Depending on state regulations, a pet without proof of current rabies vaccination may be quarantined.
First Aid Kit
- Veterinarian's contact information: have numbers for both your family veterinarian and an after-hours emergency veterinarian readily available
- Scissors: for cutting hair and bandages
- Tweezers: for removing objects from skin or paws
- Eyedropper: to dispense liquid medication or clean superficial wounds
- Gloves: to help protect you and keep the wound sanitary
- Gauze pads: for cleaning injuries
- Gauze rolls: to wrap around wounds or use as a safety muzzle
- Soft muzzle: to prevent your pet from biting you or chewing on an injury while in pain
- E-collar: available in a variety of sizes, this opaque or clear plastic, cone-shaped protector attaches to your pet's collar and can be found at veterinary clinics and pet stores. Prevents your pet from accessing a wound or injury
- Alcohol prep pads: to sterilize items such as scissors or tweezers
- Cold pack: to reduce swelling or pain
- Digital thermometer: to find out if your pet is running a fever (a mercury thermometer can shatter)
- Hydrogen peroxide: to clean a wound
- Rags or rubber tubing: to use as a tourniquet
- Blanket or towel: to wrap around injured pet, carry an injured pet and provide warmth
