Why is Preparedness Critical?

Disaster Preparedness For Pets
Emergencies come in many forms, and they may require anything from a brief absence from your home to permanent evacuation. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.

Step 1   Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes 1) the types and number of pets in your household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian's phone number. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write "EVACUATED" across the stickers.

Step 2   Arrange a Safe Haven
Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. Note that not all Red Cross disaster shelters accept pets, so it is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time:

• Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities.
• Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
• Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
• Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet.

Step 3   Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits
Keep an Evac-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:

• Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include, or visit the ASPCA Store to buy one online)
• 3-7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Extra harness and leash (Note: harnesses are recommended for safety and security)
• Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
• Bottled water, at least 7 days' worth for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
• A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
• Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters)
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
• Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week's worth of cage liner.

You should also have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Items to include: Batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.

Step 4   Choose “Designated Caregivers”
This step will take considerable time and thought. When choosing a temporary caregiver, consider someone who lives close to your residence. He or she should be someone who is generally home during the day while you are at work or has easy access to your home. A set of keys should be given to this trusted individual. This may work well with neighbors who have pets of their own—you may even swap responsibilities, depending upon who has accessibility.

When selecting a permanent caregiver, you’ll need to consider other criteria. This is a person to whom you are entrusting the care of your pet in the event that something should happen to you. When selecting this "foster parent," consider people who have met your pet and have successfully cared for animals in the past. Be sure to discuss your expectations at length with a permanent caregiver, so he or she understands the responsibility of caring for your pet.

Step 5  Evacuation Preparation
If you must evacuate your home in a crisis, plan for the worst-case scenario. If you think you may be gone for only a day, assume that you may not be allowed to return for several weeks. When recommendations for evacuation have been announced, follow the instructions of local and state officials. To minimize evacuation time, take these simple steps:

Step 6  Geographic and Climatic Considerations
Do you live in an area that is prone to certain natural catastrophes, such as tornadoes, earthquakes or floods? If so, you should plan accordingly.

• Determine well in advance which rooms offer safe havens. These rooms should be clear of hazards such as windows, flying debris, etc.
• Choose easy-to-clean areas such as utility rooms, bathrooms, and basements as safe zones.
• Access to a supply of fresh water is particularly important. In areas that may lose electricity, fill up bathtubs and sinks ahead of time to ensure that you have access to water during a power outage or other crises.
• In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home, or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your animals can take shelter.

If emergency officials recommend that you stay in your home, it's crucial that you keep your pets with you. Keep your Evac-Pack and supplies close at hand. Your pets may become stressed during the in-house confinement, so you may consider crating them for safety and comfort.

Special Considerations for Birds

• Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier.
• In cold weather, make certain you have a blanket over your pet’s cage. This may also help reduce the stress of traveling.
• In warm weather, carry a spray bottle to periodically moisten your bird's feathers.
• Have recent photos available, and keep your bird’s leg bands on for identification.
• If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels that you can change frequently.
• Keep the carrier in as quiet an area as possible.
• It is particularly imperative that birds eat on a daily basis, so purchase a timed feeder. If you need to leave your bird unexpectedly, the feeder will ensure his daily feeding schedule.
• Items to keep on hand: Catch net, heavy towel, blanket or sheet to cover cage, cage liner.

Special Considerations for Reptiles

• A snake may be transported in a pillowcase, but you should have permanent and secure housing for him when you reach a safe place.
• Take a sturdy bowl that is large for your pet to soak in. It’s also a good idea to bring along a heating pad or other warming device, such as a hot water bottle.
• Lizards can be transported like birds (see above).

Special Considerations for Small Animals

• Small animals, such as hamsters, gerbils, mice and guinea pigs, should be transported in secure carriers with bedding materials, food and food bowls.
• Items to keep on hand: Salt lick, extra water bottle, small hidebox or tube, a week's worth of bedding.

Prepare for Any Type of Emergency Conditions

Depending on where you live, you may feel anywhere from uncomfortable to truly afraid about the prospect of a terrorist attack in your town or city, especially since it could come in so many forms. Will we have to deal with nuclear emissions, biological agents, chemicals, suicide bombings, cyberspace attacks?

Not knowing the hows, whens and ifs keeps us on edge, even if the threat is just a thought we keep tucked away, and not truly something we worry about every day.

FEMA and the Red Cross offer suggestions to help us prepare for a disaster, and the majority of the plans include things we should all consider doing even when terrorism isn't a threat. Nearly every community in the US is subject to some kind of natural disaster: tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, mudslides, heavy snowstorms, earthquakes... the list goes on and on. So it makes sense to prepare our homes for a variety of disasters.

Disaster Supply Kits

Gather water, food and emergency supplies to last at least three days--longer is better. You probably already have most of the items on the list below. The trick is gathering them in one area and packing them so that items are easy to transport.

Rubbermaid and other similar manufacturers make plastic, sealable containers in many sizes and shapes, some with carrying handles that make them easy to transport. Clean trash containers with tight-fitting lids are another choice. Find a variety of container sizes that you can pack into your car in a short time if necessary.

Supply of Drinking Water

• A minimum of one gallon of water per person per day.

   

• Buy bottled water or store tap water in washed plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Sanitize containers with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water before using.

   

• If your tap water is commercially treated, you can use it as-is. For well water or untreated public water, follow treatment instructions provided by your public health service.

   

• Seal the water containers tightly and label them with the date. Store in a cool, dark place. Refresh your water supply every six months.

   

• If you're on a private well in an area prone to electrical outages, you might want to store larger amounts of water to flush stools and for general cleanup. The bakery departments of grocery stores receive pre-made frosting in covered buckets and will often give you those buckets free. Cat litter and other products come in suitable 2-3 gallon covered buckets. Look around to see what you can find.

Choosing Food Supplies
Use a permanent marker to date foods and replace items every six months. Pack foods in watertight bags or sturdy plastic containers.

• Canned foods are a good choice. Buy ready-to-eat meats, fruits, and vegetables.

   

• Buy canned or boxed juices, milk, soup, and powdered milk.

   

• Peanut butter is a good source of protein.

   

• Crackers, granola bars, cereals, trail mix.

   

• Instant coffee and tea.

   

• Sugar, salt, pepper, other spices.

   

• Don't forget a manual can opener!

Your First Aid Supplies

• First aid manual, scissors, sterile bandages, gauze pads, cotton balls, safety pins, latex gloves.

   

• Antibiotic ointment, cleansing agents such as isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, germicidal soaps, moistened towelettes.

   

• Needles, tweezers, scissors, thermometer.

   

• Aspirin, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, syrup of ipecac (to induce vomiting), vitamins.

   

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you wish to store your regular prescription medications.

Essential Tools and Emergency Supplies

• Battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries, a NOAA weather radio.

   

• Flashlight and extra batteries

   

• Matches in a waterproof container.

   

• Shutoff wrench, pliers, shovel and other tools.

   

• Duct tape, scissors, plastic sheeting.

   

• Fire extinguisher.

   

• Paper, pens, pencils.

   

• Needles and thread.

   

• Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils. Plastic trash bags.

   

• Hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, towelettes, soap. Toilet paper, paper towels.

   

• Chlorine bleach and other disinfectant cleaners.

   

• Household documents, contact numbers.

   

• Copies of important documents. Cash or traveler's checks.

Other Items

• Blankets, bedding, sleeping bags.

   

• Comfortable clothes and shoes.

   

• Supplies for babies and the elderly.

   

• Supplies for your pets.

   

• Things to do: books, games, toys.

At Work and In Your Car

• Keep an emergency backpack at the office in case you can't get home right away.

   

• Store a supply of food and water in your car. Include jumper cables, flares, ice melt and other seasonal items.

   

• Keep your gas tank filled