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You have an emergency preparedness plan for your family, but what about your four-legged family members? If you live in an area that floods, burns or experiences tornadoes or earthquakes – do yourself a favor and build a pet emergency kit before the next disaster season.
The deadly California forest fires of 2018 brought the issue of pet safety into the limelight. With reasonable warning, people can usually flee with their pets – but then what? Once you reach safety, caring for your pet is a challenge.
A DIY pet emergency kit won’t break the bank. Many of these items are already at home, but putting them into a “go bag” for you and Fido (or Fluffy) is essential.
Like your emergency kit, your pet's kit will also need to be contained in something that's easy to carry. A large waterproof bag, an old coolers, waterproof totes, and knapsacks are great choices or, to save money, use a “hefty” style garbage bag.
Make sure the container is large enough to hold all your supplies and easy to carry.
Ready.gov recommends at least 3 days of food for each person, so you should plan on the same for your pet's emergency kit. A bag of dried food plus a can or two should suffice for 3 days or more. The longer food is 100% sealed in its original bag, the longer it will last.
Ideally, you will never need to use your emergency kit. However, in the event that you do, it will probably be a high stress situation. Help and comfort your pet by including a toy in your pet emergency kit.
A space blanket is a space saver, but the dog’s old crate blanket can be thrown in too. Wool blankets are an excellent choice, as they provide warmth and padding.
When replacing collar/harness and leash, relegate the old one (if still functional) into your pet emergency kit. At the very least, keep a usable collar/harness in the your pet emergency kit since you may need to pack your dog in the car quickly, when there isn’t time to ensure collaring.
You can pick up a basic first aid kit at the store. Or you DIY your own with sterilized gauze, disinfectant, antibiotics, painkillers, small scissors, swabs, tweezers, tape, and any special tools (like a syringe) or medications your pet takes.
Because even in a power outage, you should pick up after your pet.
Pet outfitters sell bowls that fold, as well as two-sided bowls (one for food, one for water).
If you're bringing canned pet food, then make sure to have a small manual can opener in your kit.
A spiral, metal stake is highly recommended for your emergency pet kit, since you may need to leave your dog alone. Nylon rope is optional, but recommended.
If you own a dog breed that needs extra warmth, pack an old sweater or jacket.
If your four-legged family members include kitty cats, then keep these additional considerations in mind.
Cats need carriers like dogs need collars. The cheap option: bring an old pillowcase or towels for transporting your cat.
Sturdy trash bags make great liners for a litter box; extra trash bags work to discard old litter and you can never have too many.
