Is your pet ready for evacuations, emergencies?

By Beth Leermakers

Be prepared. This Boy Scout motto, which includes being prepared for any situation, from everyday tasks to emergencies, is equally important for pet parents, whose charges depend on them for their wellbeing. 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, an observance that encourages pet parents to develop plans for responding to a natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, flooding or wildfire). 

Pack a Pet Emergency Bag 

If you need to evacuate quickly, you won’t have time to fill water bottles and hunt for your pet’s vet records. Pack everything (except maybe the water jugs) in a duffel bag for grab-and-go convenience. 

Include these essentials in your emergency bag:

Pet food (at least a two-week supply) in airtight containers, water (a two-week supply), food bowls, medications and supplements (two-week supply), printed instructions for feeding and medications (for a boarding facility or pet sitter), a sturdy leash or harness (for cats as well as dogs), a muzzle (if your dog needs one for vet visits or stressful situations, waste bags (dogs), cat litter, a litter box and plastic bags for waste disposal, beds, blankets and toys to reduce stress, paperwork and a first aid kit. 

You can buy a pet first aid kit or assemble your own. 

Keep copies of pet records, with a current photo, in a waterproof pouch in your emergency bag and include contact information for your vet and microchip company.

What to Do Now 

Identify your pets. Put ID tags on their collars or order collars with your dogs’ name and phone number embroidered on them. Update your microchip contact information if your phone number and email have changed. 

Microchip your pet. All dogs and cats in the city of Dallas must be microchipped. Vet or spay/neuter clinics (Spay Neuter Network, Texas Coalition for Animal Protection) can implant microchips. 

Go digital. Save copies of your pet’s records on your phone or in an email to yourself. Use Genius Scan or another free app to scan your vet records and access them on your phone. 

Locate your cat’s favorite hiding place. You can’t take your cat with you if you can’t find him when he’s scared. 

The next time it storms, look for your cat’s hiding place. Some cats (and dogs) retreat under the bed or into a closet, but yours may have a different favorite safe spot. Put a bell on your cat’s collar so it’s easier to find him. 

Get your cat used to a cat carrier. When you’re hurrying to leave, you don’t need the added stress of forcing a terrified, flailing cat into a small carrier. Leave the carrier out in your cat’s favorite room so she can smell it. Place treats inside the carrier to entice her to enter on her own. Take her for a short car ride (not to the vet clinic) so she learns that road trips aren’t a bad thing. 

Introduce your dog to a crate if he’s not used to being crated. Some evacuation shelters may accommodate dogs in crates, so being crate trained can be a life saver. Put a bed or blanket and toys in the crate, and give your dog a high value treat (think meat or cheese) every time she goes in. 

Plan your escape. Where will you stay if you must leave home with your pets? 

If you don’t have friends or family in safe areas (who will welcome your fur kids), identify pet-friendly hotels. Check out these websites: hotels.petswelcome.com and bringfido.com. 

Want more information? 

Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for tips on how to include pets in your emergency preparedness plans. The app features step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies; a pet profile for storing tag ID, photo and medical information; early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian; and an animal hospital locator. Find the Pet First Aid app in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross. 

The Prepare tab has a list of pet-friendly hotels and tips for responding to disasters and emergencies. The Emergency tab includes a vet hospital locator. 

I hope you won’t ever have to use your pet emergency kit. But you can rest easier knowing you have a plan to keep your fur baby safe if disaster strikes.