Don't wait until the last minute to evacuate if you have animals. Once the
disaster is imminent, if the only way out is by official rescue transport,
emergency officials may not allow you to take your pets when they bring you out.
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (vet, animal control, Red Cross, etc.)
accessible. If you and your pet can't stay together after you evacuate, contact
friends, family, veterinarians and boarding kennels in safe areas to arrange for
foster care. Send medicine, medical records, food, feeding information and other
supplies with your pet.
Where to take your pet
It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals
in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead.
Hotels: In advance, contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area
to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and
species. Ask whether "no pet" policies could be waived in an
emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone
numbers, with other disaster information. For an impending storm, call ahead for
reservations. The Web site www.petswelcome.com maintains a list of hotels that accept pets.
Friends, relatives: Ask friends, relatives or others outside the area
whether they could shelter your animals. Make arrangements with neighbors to
help evacuate pets in the event you can't get home.
Pet disaster kit
- Any necessary medication(s) and medical records in a waterproof container
- A leash
- Proper ID collar and rabies tag/license
- Carrier or cage
- Non-spill food and water dishes
- 14-day supply of food, water in nonbreakable containers
- A manual can opener
- Grooming supplies
- Your pet's blanket and a favorite toy
- Cleanser and disinfectant to handle wastes
- Newspapers, cat litter, scoop, plastic trash bags for handling waste
- Proper ID on all belongings
- Specific care instructions
Pet emergency kit
• Tweezers for removing thorns, ticks, anything caught in pet's mouth or
skin
- Scissors
- Tape, gauze pads, roll of gauze to clean, cover and cushion injuries
- Iodine prep solution
- Antiseptic solution for cleansing wounds, burns
- Alcohol pads to clean scissors, tweezers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding
- Buffered aspirin for pain and inflammation
- Benedryl to reduce allergic reactions to insect bites; check with your vet
for the correct dosages (note: Tylenol is poisonous to cats)
- Thermometer (normal temperature in dogs and cats: between 101 to 102
degrees)
- Blanket or towels for warmth; animals often go into shock when injured
Other tips
Vaccinate your pet. If you haven't already done so, get those shots
now. Infectious diseases can become a big threat after a disaster.
Take clear, color photos (frontal, left and right sides) of your pet, and
store these with your pet's license, medical records and ownership papers in a
waterproof carrier to take with you.
