No matter where you live in the United States, there is always a chance for a natural or man-made disaster. From floods, earthquakes and tornadoes to blizzards, hurricanes, fires and more, every region of the country is vulnerable to a catastrophic event. As we head into the season for severe summer storms, we’ve compiled some resources for how to plan for emergencies.
Having a plan in place for your pet can be quite advantageous. Imagine how much easier it will be to grab a ready-to-go bag with all the supplies needed, should you need to evacuate or become stranded for days.
Know your pet-friendly options should you need to leave your home
Friend or Family Member’s House?
Be sure your friend or family member understands your pet(s) will be with you.
Local Shelter?
Find out their pet policy ahead of time. Many accept pets; however, they are often housed in a different area than their humans. Most shelters require proof of vaccines.
Hotel?
Know which chains welcome pets, which pets they allow and if there are any restrictions. There are some excellent online guides, including Hotel Guides and Bringfido.
Have pet supplies ready to go
Store your evacuation kits in an easy to access location in case you need to leave quickly. Keep all supplies in a durable bag or bin to ensure it travels well.
Food and water
– At least one week’s worth per pet. Keep track of expiration dates.
Disposable food and water bowls
– Made from paper, bamboo, sugar cane – all excellent options
Puppy Training pads
– For lining carriers, using in hotel rooms, protecting seats and floors in the car, etc.
Disposable litter box and litter
– Kitty’s Wonderbox is a great box option. It is sturdy and completely biodegradable.
Pet Wipes
– Gentle, fragrance-free grooming wipes by Earthbath are fabulous for cleaning paws, mouths, fur, etc.
Styptic powder
– To stop bleeding from nicks and cuts
Towels and blankets
– For comfort and warmth
Identification
– Include your name and cell phone number on collar tags
Prescriptions and supplements
– It is important to keep your pet’s regimen
A calming solution
– Treatibles hard chews, soft chewables, oil dropper bottles and capsules are all excellent options. All products feature Organic Full Spectrum Hemp Oil with naturally occurring CBD for pets that helps instill calm, balance and ease, making it ideal for pets with anxiety. Also addresses anxiety-inspired maladies including digestive distress, motion sickness, discomfort and more.
First aid kit
– Containing the basics – alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide, gauze pads, adhesive tape, bandages, disposable gloves, ice pack, disposable gloves, towels, saline solution, tweezers and scissors – to cover any potential mishaps that happen throughout the trip. We also recommend including Treatibles Topical Cream. It helps manage joint inflammation, burns, scratches and other minor skin conditions
Important records/documents
– Copy of vaccination records, ownership papers, etc.
If you are staying put
Keep in mind that evacuation is not always an option. Many disasters cannot be predicted. Therefore, it is still important to have plans and protocols in place. After a major event, it is common to be stranded or without basic services for days or weeks at a time. Having the proper supplies on hand (for your pets and you) will ease some of the stress.
- Identify the safest room in the house during a catastrophic event for whatever disaster is most likely in your area.
- Familiarize yourself with basic procedures for pet first aid – The AVMA offers an excellent guide. Be sure to have resources available in case you do not have internet access.
- Have on hand
- Generator
- Battery operated fan
- Cooler
- Sterno kit
- Candles
- Flashlight
- Batteries
While we cannot plan for every scenario, we can do our best to ensure our pets are fed, hydrated, safe and comfortable.
