UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF ADVANCED PLANNING

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Grab and Go Disaster Kit Essentials for Companion Animals

When it comes time to evacuate, the most important priority is for you, your family and your companion animals to get to safety.  Do not risk injury or becoming trapped in an unsafe situation by gathering these items at the last minute – prepare for a natural disaster ahead of time by organizing these items in a “Grab and Go” container.   

Cats | Dogs | Birds | Reptiles | Pocket Pets | Fish


Cats

1. Transport in a secure airline crate

2. Put a breakaway collar with current I.D. on the cat before leaving home;

3. Essential supplies to pack in a water proof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours (dry food is easiest to dispense – use pull tops if cans are necessary)
  • Fresh drinking water for 72 hours
  • Food/water bowl
  • Shoebox-size litter box
  • Litter for 72 hours
  • Litter scoop
  • Plastic bags for waste disposal
  • Cat harness and leash so your cat can exercise out of the crate
  • Several current pictures
  • Vaccination records
  • First aid kit and booklet – prepackaged kits can be bought at pet supply stores
  • Any medications


Dogs

1. Transport in secure airline crate or use a harness and leash to keep the dog under control;

2. Put a collar with current I.D. on the dog before leaving home;

3. Essential supplies to pack in a waterproof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours (dry food is easiest to dispense – use pull top if cans are necessary)
  • Fresh drinking water for 72 hours
  • Food/water dish
  • Plastic bags for waste disposal
  • Several current pictures
  • Vaccination records
  • First aid kit and booklet – prepackaged kits can be bought at pet supply stores
  • Any medication

Birds

1. Transport in regular cage. If your cage is too large to fit in your vehicle, have a smaller cage on hand for evacuations.   Use zip ties to secure all doors before leaving the house;

2. Remove toys from the cage that might fall and injure the bird before evacuating;

3. Attach some form of identification to the cage that provides all your contact information;

4. Essential supplies to pack in a waterproof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours – bring a supply in addition to what is already in the cage
  • Fresh drinking water for 72 hours
  • Food/water dish if you switch cages
  • Something to cover the cage at night or to keep out as much smoke as possible during a fire
  • Several current pictures
  • Any medication

Reptiles

1. Transport in regular enclosure.  If your cage is too large to fit in your vehicle, have a smaller enclosure available for evacuation emergencies;

2. Attach some form of identification to the enclosure that provides all your contact information;

3. Essential supplies to pack in a waterproof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours –  bring a supply in addition to what is already in the enclosure
  • Fresh drinking water for 72 hours
  • Food/water dishes if you switch enclosures
  • Lights necessary for a healthy habitat – remember electricity may not be available so do the best you can to maintain a normal environment
  • Misters for a healthy habitat – remember electricity may not be available so do the best you can to maintain a normal environment
  • Vaccination records
  • Any medications

Pocket Pets: Hamsters, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Mice and Rats

1. Transport in regular enclosure.  If it is too large to fit in your vehicle, have a smaller enclosure available just for evacuation emergencies.   Use zip ties to secure all enclosure doors;

2. Attach some form of identification to the cage that provides all your contact information;

3. Essential supplies to pack in a waterproof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours – bring a supply in addition to what is already in the cage
  • Fresh drinking water for 72 hours
  • Food dish and water bottle
  • Shavings for bottom of cage – small bag
  • Something to cover the cage at night

Fish

1. Transport in regular enclosure.  If it is too large to fit in your vehicle, have a smaller enclosure available just for evacuation emergencies;

2. Remove all decorations from the tank before transport in order to keep them from injuring the fish;

3. Attach some form of identification to the enclosure that provides all your contact information;

Essential supplies to pack in a waterproof plastic container:

  • Food for 72 hours
  • Air pump – get a battery-operated one to use while evacuated
  • Heater if evacuating in cold weather – remember electricity may not be available