Emergency Preparedness

Most of us never think about what to do in an emergency until it happens. Some people put “grab it and run” kits together that contain passports and other important paperwork, as well as items of sentimental value. But what about emergency preparedness for our pets?

You might have heard that southern California has been on fire for the last three days. The area I live in was heavily involved. We were evacuated, and came within 100 feet of losing our home. The entire experience was a nightmare for everyone, humans and animals alike, and could have been a lot worse. But I did experience the very real panic that sets in when a fire fueled by 90 mph winds is racing toward your home, people are screaming and running everywhere, and you’re trying to get family and your animals safely out of harm’s way.

We should all have emergency preparedness kits together for our pets. Here are a few ideas on what to include:

Food enough for at least a few days (even if you feed raw, have some kibble on hand)
Supplements/Vitamins
A first aid kit
Medications (including syringes if necessary), short-term tranquilizers such as diazepam if your dog is the nervous type
One crate for each pet that will fit in your vehicle along with the rest of your belongings, or a trailer hitch and trailer to tow it.
Bags to clean up after your pets
Extra set of tags incase your dog’s ID becomes lost
Photo of your dog (awful to think about, but necessary if he or she becomes lost)
Another nice thing to include would be Comfort Zone in collar or spray form, to help keep your dog as calm as possible.

If your dog does not normally wear a collar with tags in the house, it should be kept in a place where you can grab it and the leash easily.

You should also have an evacuation plan and a “buddy system” in place with friends who can be called on to help move your pets out if necessary, and/or provide shelter until the emergency has passed. Their contact numbers should be stored in your emergency preparedness kit as well. (If you only have them on speed dial on your cell phone and you’re in an area that doesn’t get reception, you’re out of luck.) It’s also good to know which hotels in your area accept pets, should it come to that. And having an emergency radio with you (battery or crank operated) will allow you to listen to reports to find out which areas have been set aside where people can bring their pets, should you need it.

Although it’s difficult to remain calm, try to appear and act so for your pet’s benefit. We all know that dogs pick up on our stress. There is nothing calm about the speed with which we need to act in an emergency, but being prepared makes it that much easier. Remember too that your dog might feel stressed out and nervous for a few days after experiencing a traumatic incident, so pay special attention to her needs.

If you have additional tips for emergency situations or suggestions for what to include in the kit, please feel free to add them. The safer the better, for all of us.