If you have pets in your household then you will need to plan for them with your emergency and disaster plans. These pets need to be included because if you don’t and must evacuate your home you may have to leave them behind to survive on their own.
If you are like me your pets are family and important members at that. You do not want to explain to the kids why you had to leave Fido or Fluffy behind, nor why they are not there when you are able to return home.
It is simple to prepare for your pets as you prepare for your family so take the steps necessary to ensure the survival of your whole family, pets included.
Stock UP on Supplies to Have on Hand
You will need to stock up on things your pet needs daily such as food and water, but you will also need to have a few other things on hand as well. You will need bowls for the food and water, and collapsible bowls will work better if you have to leave your home because they will not take up as much room.
Packing their food into sealed Mylar bags in a 5 gallon bucket will allow you to grab it quickly when leaving and keep it secure as you travel. This will also allow the food to last much longer than if it was kept in the original bag and stored.
If your pet takes medications, be sure to have enough on hand that will last until you can get to a vet and have it refilled.
Also know what vet you can use if you go to a different area. Having copies of your pet’s vaccine and medical history will help a vet that is not familiar with your pet, know what needs they have and will get treatment done faster if you ever need to take your pet for an emergency.
Having a collar with your information on a tag will help get reunited with your pet faster, but these can also be lost in certain circumstances, so getting your pet chipped and registering the chip with your information will insure your pet can find you again.
First aid kits that are specific for pets would not be a bad idea to have with your other first aid supplies as you never know what can happen.
Pet Survival Kits
There are kits designed specifically for pets that you can purchase, making everything easy to grab when you have to get out fast. You can keep this bag with the other go bags for the family, and assign someone the responsibility of grabbing that specific bag when you must evacuate for an emergency.
Having a bag that is specific for your pet alleviates the need to run around and grab the things they will need, and save you time so you can be one of the first ones out of your area and get in front of the masses that will be coming.
A kit for your pet will also give you peace of mind knowing you will have everything your pet will need during an emergency or evacuation.
Shelter for Pets
Evacuating with your pet will be difficult if you do not plan ahead. If you have family that you can get to, and this is where you plan to go, make sure they know your pet will be coming with you, and that you can contain your pet if necessary.
If you must rely on an emergency shelter during evacuation times, make sure you know what shelters will allow pets, and again have a way to contain your pet. Having a good collapsible crate will not take up much room and will give you a place to secure you pet when necessary.
Some hotels will allow pets, especially during emergencies, so know where you can take your pet before you ever need to go.
Again, go ahead and look for vets in the area you plan to go when you must evacuate to save time if your pet has an emergency while you are away from home. You never know what can happen, and things tend to happen when you least expect it, so being prepared will help you cope as things do arise.
Past Disasters Show Importance of Planning for Your Pets
If you have ever watched news coverage from past disasters and emergencies you have seen what can happen when people leave their pets behind to survive on their own. People end up rescuing these pets who are scared, and sometimes injured. These pets end up in shelters and rescue groups to never see their family again. I am fine with that as I hope these pets find new families who will not leave them behind the next time like their old one did. Unfortunately these pets become the silent victims of disasters and emergencies.
One plea I do have is if you are going to leave your pet behind when you evacuate, please do not leave them chained up or in a pen. Let them loose so that they may have a chance of survival, and not stuck with no way to get out of dangers path.
If you think that they are just animals, remember we to are just animals with a will to survive like all other animals. Give them that chance.
Conclusion
When you have pets, you will need to plan for their survival during an emergency or disaster just as you plan for your own. Including them in your plans can be easy, but will take extra consideration, especially when you must evacuate during an emergency. Know where you can go with your pets, and have a kit that you can grab along with your own go-bag, so that you have everything you might need while away from home with your pet. Taking these small steps for your pet will ensure they are with you many years to come, happy and healthy.
If you have used a disaster kit for your pets, let us know how it was. Did it make things easier for you and your pet, or harder? Do you have any tips on planning for your pets? Please share what you can to help us gain more information. I feel that this is a topic that is not discussed enough within the survival and preparedness community.
Happy Prepping!
