How To Include Your Pet In Your Disaster Plan

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Disasters, whether man-made or natural, are marked by huge loss of life and property and large-scale destruction. Prevention is better than cure is the mantra to live by, for it always comes in handy to protect yourself and your loved ones from impending damage.When it comes to loved ones, every pet owner would agree with me when I say that to us, our pets are just as dear as our kith and kin and our friends. Hence it is important to include our little friends in our disaster management plans.

Two aspects to this are:

1. Formulating a disaster plan.
2. Preparing a kit.

Formulating A Disaster Plan.

1. Attach collars and tags to your pet containing updated information.
2. Use a microchip that contains relevant information that can be used to track the pet if it is lost.
3. Use a pet carrier for your pets and fill in your name, the name of the pet and contact information in it and make sure your pet is well acquainted with the transport box.
4. There are two ways of sheltering in case of a disaster – sheltering at your place or sheltering at a place distant from your home. Decide your option.

In case of sheltering at home, make sure the sheltering room is safe and free of toxic materials.In case of evacuation, you canvisit

http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/tips/find_local_animal_shelter.html

for pet shelters. You could also check with your family and friends or stay in pet friendly hotels.The next step is preparation of a disaster kit.

Preparing A Disaster Kit.

Having a disaster kit at the ready always helps in case a disaster strikes. Few items to include in your pet's disaster kit are:

1. Food and water for minimum of a fortnight. Food should be packed in air tight containers.
2. Food and water bowls and a can opener.
3. Items that can be used for cleaning up in case of bathroom accidents (towels, plastic bags, cleaning agent).
4. Medications for the pet and its medical records like a copy of its medical history, rabies vaccination certificate, current vaccination records and microchip information in case microchips are used and prescription for the medicines.
5. Trunks or caskets that can be used to transport the pet and items like toys and pillows to make it feel comfortable.
6. A photo of the pet and identification information, including your contact information.

Diseases that can be transferred during a calamity include rabies, ringworms and leptospirosis.Maintain good hygiene and provide proper vaccination to prevent or curb them.To each man, his own pet. Protect your treasured little ones with these tips. Hope they help.

How to Build a Disaster Kit for Your Cat

How to Build a Disaster Kit for Your Cat

Many People Have Kits Prepared to Protect Their Families During a Natural Disaster, But How Prepared is Your Cat?

Summary: Your cat is a part of your family. That’s why everyone with a cat that lives in a disaster-prone area should have a disaster kit packed and ready for when something happens.

Whether it is a flood, hurricane, tsunami, or other natural disasters, many families in disaster-prone areas already have a game plan set up. What to do, what to pack, where to access their disaster kits full of food and emergency products. It’s vital to plan ahead and be prepared in case the worst happens.

But in the hustle of preparing the human members of the family, it’s easy to forget that our furry friends need their own respective disaster kits and plans. While most pets can have the same type of disaster kits, cats and dogs do need some different special items.

Luckily, building a disaster kit for your cat is incredibly easy and only takes minutes if you have the supplies on hand. Let’s take a look at the basics of building a pet disaster kit and what special items you’ll need to pack for your feline friend.

Before You Pack, Set Up a Plan

Natural disasters worsen the crisis of homeless animals in a substantial way. In the chaos of trying to evacuate their homes or find safe ground during a massive flood, many pet-owners aren’t prepared enough to protect their pets.

The basic steps to preemptively protect your cat in the event of a natural disaster are short and sweet:

1. Have a clean and easy-to-access pet carrier on hand

2. Have your cat microchipped

Following these two steps can make the difference between being able to get your cat to safety and possibly losing them. Having a pet carrier around that isn’t hidden under storage or tucked away in an easily-forgettable part of your home is not a good idea. Keep your carrier somewhere close and easy to get to, such as a front closet, behind a couch, or sat by the front door.

Getting your pet microchipped is another important step to take. In the event your pet is lost during a disaster, it will be much easier for animal rescue organizations to find your cat and return them to you safely once the disaster has passed.

What to Include in Your Basic Pet Disaster Kit

No matter what kind of pet you have, there are some basic items one should include into their disaster kit.

• Food for at least a week per pet (Measure out your pet’s food according to how much they eat regularly and put a week’s worth in a sealed bag. Avoid canned food and stick to dry, as it will keep for longer and be easier to open.)

• Water for at least a week per pet

• Food and water dishes

• Food and water storage containers, such as plastic bottles or tupperware containers

• Any and all medications

• A special first aid kit designed for your specific type of pet

• A guidebook to caring for a pet’s medical needs in the event of an emergency

• Any medical records or registration you have for your pet

• A sturdy leash

• A sturdy harness

• A second carrier that is soft and easy to store in a compact kit (This is recommended in case your original carrier is damaged or lost.)

• Current photos of you and your pets (This will be very useful in case your pet is lost, and you’ll need proof to be reunited with them.)

• Descriptions of your pets (This also helps in the search for your pet in case you are separated during the disaster.)

• A list of information regarding your pet (This would include your pets’ feeding schedules, medical problems or conditions, behavior issues, name, veterinarian number, etc.)

• A waterproof bag to store your documents in

• A flash drive to store your documents in

• Newspapers

• Paper towels

• A brush and a nail clipper, plus other grooming products

• Bleach and other cleaning products

• A rescue alert sticker (This won’t go into your kit. The sticker should be placed in an easy-to-see window so that rescue officials will know that a pet lives on the premises. In the event of a disaster, it is helpful to write “evacuated” on the sticker if you’re leaving with your pet in hand.)

• A list of vets, boarding kennels, animal shelters, and pet-friendly hotels in your area

• A flashlight

• Batteries

• A blanket

• Toys

• A can opener

• Towels

• Copies of ID tags

• A large tub to store your emergency items in

• An appropriate label to make it easy to find your kit in an emergency

What to Include in Your Cat Disaster Kit

Cats have special needs, so don’t forget to include these specific items in your kit.

• Cat litter for at least a week

• A litter box, preferably compact (Aluminum roast pans are a great disposable alternative.)

• Garbage bags

• Smaller trash bags or extra grocery bags for scooping litter

• A litter scooper

• A pillowcase (This is used in leigh of a carrier and should be an absolute last resort, as some cats become more frightened and stressed when kept in a pillowcase during transportation.)

• A specialized first aid kit (The contents of this kit varies depending on the age and health conditions of your cat. On a basic level, they can include a conforming bandage, absorbent gauze pads, q-tips, antiseptic wipes, emollient cream, tweezers, scissors, an instant cold pack, and several pairs of latex disposable gloves.)

• Pee pads

• Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes

• Canned food savers (These look like bendable silicone lids and are designed to fit multiple sizes of cat food cans.)

• A heat pad

• Toys that are good for destressing (These toys could include electronic motion toys, plastic ball tracks, nano robotic bug toys, feathers on a stick, etc.)

How was our guide to building the perfect disaster kit for your cat? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Photo source: Pixabay