An emergency can happen at any time, so being prepared helps to keep your pet safe. Having an emergency kit ready and handy to go for those unexpected times where an emergency could arise is always a smart idea. Here are a few tips to help you plan for any type of disaster or emergency.
- Have a rescue emergency sticker on both the front and back doors of your home. This sticker will let any emergency worker know the number and type of pets present in your home.
- Have an emergency plan in place, if you have to leave your home in a hurry – where will you go with your pets. Make sure you know what hotels in the immediate area will accept pets or which of your family or friends are able and willing to help out.
- Assign a temporary caregiver for your pet. What would happen if you were involved in an accident and unable to care for your pet for the long or short term? This step takes planning and communication, be sure to choose someone you know well to care for your pet; make sure they are comfortable in providing care for your pet. Include them on any emergency contact lists you keep, along with your own emergency information. If you live alone, make sure emergency personnel are aware you have pets alone at home, make sure that information is written down along with your emergency contact information. Make provisions for your pet in your will, this way they will be provided and cared for as per your wishes.
Have an emergency supply and travel kit handy for easy retrieval in case you have to leave your home in a hurry, always plan for the worst-case-scenario.
- All pets should have collars and ID tags, or an even better plan is to have everyone microchipped just in case of a sudden emergency.
- Store an emergency kit along with leashes, collars and carriers in an easily accessible location. Cats should have their own carrier if possible, but in a pinch 2 cats could share one carrier; practice putting your cat in and out of the carrier, don’t wait until disaster strikes to try and get them to enter quickly and quietly.
Each kit should include:
- 3-7 days of food (rotate every 6 weeks)
- First aid kit
- Litter trays and litter (tin foil trays work well in a pinch)
- Paper towels
- Feeding dishes, water dishes
- Photocopies or a USB drive of pertinent medical history including vaccine history
- Photos of your pet for identification purposes
- Any necessary medication should be readily available to be packed into the bag in a hurry
- Bottled water for up to 7 days
Hopefully, you never need to use your kit, but having one available should give you some peace of mind in knowing you are prepared if an emergency arises.
Written by Fairmont Animal Hospital