5 Steps to Take NOW

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By B. Cat Stone

If you received an alert that there was an emergency requiring immediate evacuation and had only minutes to prepare to leave your house with your pets, could you be ready? Most pet parents would say no. In a Godzilla-level emergency, such as a fast-moving wildfire or flood, evacuation might be mandatory with very little notice. Being read to evacuate with pets is incredibly important.

Since the 1980s, disasters have tripled globally. These include floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. Emergencies can also be man-made, such as chemical spills. Thousands of animals are affected every year by natural disasters, because many pet owners don’t take the time to prepare.

The thought of getting displaced by a cat-astrophe can be a terrifying one, especially if you live with a treasured fur-iend. However, there’s no need to worry if you have a good preparedness plan that includes your pet. It will ensure that in case of an emergency, you and your extended furry family are all ready to leave in just a few wags of a tail.

This article covers key items and information you should have to successfully bug out with your dogs and cats fast, so you can all stay safe during a disaster.

5 steps to prep your pet to bug out

Prepping to exit quickly involves much more than just grabbing your animal and a leash or carrier.  Here are 5 basic steps you can follow to ensure that you and your fur-iends are ready for an evacuation situation.

Pet identification

Your pet should wear identification at all times which includes your address and contact phone number.  Having your animal microchipped is important too. But if your pet is lost then found during a disaster, a chip scanner may not be available. This is true for both cats and dogs. In an emergency, having ID could save your pet’s life and ensure you’ll be reunited.

Note that there are collar GPS devices available that allow you to track your pet through your smart phone.

Pet bug-out kit

 Your pet’s kit should include the following basic items:

• Pet evacuation information: Two copies. (Explained in a later section.)
• Appropriate size carrier: 1 per pet, with identification information; include blanket or towel; your pet may have to stay in it for a while, so it needs to be large enough for them to turn around and lie down comfortably (and include a sanitary area); even large pets should have carriers; some are collapsible to save space.
• Carry bag: Large enough for all supplies
• Water: Enough for 3 – 7 days (more is better if space allows).
• Food and treats: Enough for 3 – 7 days (more is better) in waterproof containers. Include expiration dates.
• Bowls: For food and water – collapsible ones are good and save room
• Extra collar, leash and harness with ID: Most public areas require dogs to be leashed; include additional pet ID.
• Muzzle (for both dogs and cats: Any pet might get spooked in an emergency, and they may have to be handled by strangers. This can affect their behavior.
• Emergency first aid kit: Buy prepackaged or assemble yourself – Include a mini first-aid kit, too: Antibiotic ointment, tape, cotton bandages, self-stick gauze, scissors and latex gloves are standard.
• Emergency pet first aid instructions: Booklets, books, and smartphone apps are available.
• Medications: Include prescriptions and other medication your pet takes; Ask your vet about getting extra in case of an emergency.
• Flea and tick preventative: 1-month supply
• Calming remedy: Pets may be anxious in an emergency. Check with your vet. Examples: CBD or products such as Rescue Remedy.
• Favorite toy: Something familiar to your fur-iend is good.
• Emergency blanket: Emergency mylar blanket.
• Pet bed/blanket: Something familiar to your pet is good; include a blanket that can be placed over the carrier for calming.
• Sanitation (general): Poop bags, potty pads, hand sanitizer, non-nitrile disposable gloves, pet wipes, newspaper.
• Sanitation (cats): Small litter box (for back of carrier) or portable litter box, litter, scooper, poop bags, gloves, hand sanitizer.
• Pet ID/tracking device: Identification microchip; tag on collar/harness; optional – local smart tracking device on collar (track with smartphone); include emergency contact information on pet and on carrier.
• Extra cash: For additional costs, such as pet hotel or additional supplies (card readers may be down).
• Optional: Waterproof dog shoes/boots: If your dog is walking, in case of debris, wet or cold weather. Train your dog to wear these first!

Cat and dog emergency evacuation kits are available online, or you can create one yourself. Be sure to replace items that expire over time, such as medicine and food.

Have pet-friendly destinations

Did you know that many emergency shelters do not allow pets? Some partner with local animal shelters, such as the Humane Society, which can take in your pet temporarily. Be aware of your options ahead of time, as well as the rules and regulations associated with each. Public shelters are managed by your local Department of Emergency Management.

Plan ahead to determine alternate locations that welcome animals. These can include:

• Hotels – These are a popular choice for the whole family; however, during a disaster they may fill up fast. You need to know in advance whether dogs and cats are welcome and what rules and extra fees might apply. Websites that offer information about pet-friendly hotels include gopetfriendly.com, petswelcome.com and petfriendlyhotels.com.
• Pet boarding facilities – Another possibility for your fur-iends is a pet hotel or resort, or a veterinary hospital in a safe area that boards pets. Know where these are located, what services they offer and their prices.
• Family and friends – Ask family and friends who do not live in a danger zone if they’d be willing to let your four-legged-friend(s) stay with them temporarily during an emergency. If so, you can drop off your animal and their bug-out kit with them if your safe destination doesn’t allow pets. Having a backup is a good idea in case one family member or friend is unavailable.

Document and keep your destination information up to date. Store it with your pet’s kit and on your phone.

Pet evacuation information

Another set of data that’s critical to bring with you is pet evacuation information. Have two copies of the paperwork in case you have to be separated from your pet temporarily (for example, if your fur-iend must stay in a separate shelter). In that situation, one copy needs to stay with the pet and the other with you.

Store all paperwork in two waterproof envelopes or containers. Make sure the information is kept up to date. Include copies of the following documents and information:

• Collar tags information
• Emergency contact information (yours and at least one other)
• Microchip information
• Feeding instructions
• Veterinary clinic information and important veterinary records
• Rabies certificate
• Proof of other vaccinations – Type, date, expiration
• Medical insurance information, if your pet has it
• Most recent Heartworm test result (dog)
• Most recent Felv/FIV test result (cat)
• Medication your pet takes – Prescription and OTC/other, including dosages
• Adoption records or other proof of ownership
• Pet description – For example, breed, color, sex, temperament
• Recent photos of your pet (preferably with you) – To help establish ownership
• Two waterproof containers for this information – one for you, one to stay with pet

Practice bugging out

Practice makes purrfect. In a real emergency situation, you may have only minutes to gather your animals, bug-out kit and documents. Without being familiar with a routine, animals may be nervous, difficult to handle, or hide. If you and your pets are trained in advance to grab your gear and exit quickly, you can save precious time and effort and lessen everyone’s stress.

For example, based on your planned mode of transportation – driving or walking – take your people and pet kits, then place your pet in its carrier, on its leash or in its backpack. Take a walk or drive with the whole family to simulate your evacuation.

Daisy recommends feeding cats in their carrier on a daily basis to make it their go-to place.

Be your own pack

If you expect the calvary to come trotting over the hill to your rescue at a moment’s notice… better hang on to your leash. Local responders should be on hand as quickly as possible; however, there may not be enough advance warning, so you might not be able to wait for them before you have to leave.

The safest policy is to be ready to high-tail-it on your own if need be. Having your family’s bug-out kits, including your pet’s, as well as evacuation training, will help ensure you can do just that.

Our fur-iends are there for us, and they depend on us. We need to be there for them. Preparing your pets now for an emergency that could come at any time will help keep them safe and might save their (9) lives. Best of all, it will give you peace of mind.

Are you prepared to evacuate with pets?

If you had to evacuate with pets, would you and your furry friends be ready? Have you ever had to evacuate your home? Do you have any tips for others who might need to leave in a hurry with their pets?

Let’s discuss it in the comments sections.

About Cat

B. Cat Stone is a writer, animal rescuer and pet groomer. She lives in the Western U.S. with her furry friends at her dog and cat sanctuary. She’s the author of the book, “The Cat in the Music Box: A Message from Pet Heaven.” Contact her at [email protected].