Pet Disaster Preparedness

By Sheri Madsen, Director of Public Relations and Partnerships

If a fire or other disaster struck and you had to leave at a moment’s notice, would you be prepared to grab your pets and all of the necessary supplies? To make sure you’re emergency-ready, a safety plan is essential for both you and your pets – remember, if it’s not safe for you, it is not safe for them. 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month and the perfect time to review your pet safety plan should you face an emergency. Preparedness planning includes creating an emergency kit for each of your animals if you are forced to leave unexpectedly. 

An emergency kit for your pets is fairly easy to assemble, and you may already have many of these items at home. We recommend you keep your kit in an easy-to-grab container or bag, and periodically check and update its items as needed. Here is a list of suggested items to keep in your pet’s emergency kit(s): 

• • One-week supply of pet food. Place food in a water-tight container and replace it every three months to keep it fresh. If you use canned food, include a can opener in your kit.
  • One-week supply of fresh water. If officials declare your household water unfit to drink, it’s also unsafe for your pets. Follow American Red Cross guidelines for storing emergency water for your family and your pets. 
  • Food and water bowls. There are many types of collapsible bowls available that are easy to pack and store in your kit.  
  • Medication. 
  • Vaccination Records. Make copies to store in your bag or take photos of the records to store in your phone. 
  • Photographs. Include pictures of you with your pets to prove you’re the pet parent. 
  • Photographs of just your pets. Include these in case you need to make “lost pet” flyers.

• Pet first aid kit. Keep this kit in a waterproof container. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommendations include: 

• • Absorbent gauze pads 
  • Nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of clean cloth 
  • Adhesive tape for bandages 
  • Milk of magnesia, activated charcoal
  • Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
  • Digital thermometer 
  • Eye dropper or large syringe without needle 
  • Muzzle
  • Stretcher or blanket 
• Temporary ID tags. If you’ve evacuated, use tags to mark down your temporary contact information and/or the phone number of a friend or relative unaffected by the crisis. 
• Pet Carrier or leash for each animal. Caregivers of multiple cats or other small animals may want to use an EvacSak instead of a carrier, which is easy to store and use for transport. 

As you know, natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding are common in California. Emergency planning is essential to keep you and your pets safe when the next catastrophe strikes.