BLOG: Be Pet-Ready When Disaster Hits

There is an emergency scenario in almost all parts of our world: Fires, earthquakes, hurricanes… Some are more common than others, but we all live with the thought of one of those potential dangerous situations.

So much so, that there are now even TV shows about people, who prepare almost full time for emergencies, like Nat Geo’s latest hit Doomsday Preppers. While they might take things to the extreme, we all know, that we need to be prepared in case of a situation, where food and water are not easy to come by, or evacuation is mandatory.

One of the worst things about emergency situations is, that they are unpredictable. They can hit from one second to the next. Even if there is some warning, like in the case of a wildfire closing in or a weather-related disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, there may be little time to prepare.

That is why it is so important to have a plan. For us dog people, we have to plan for our canine family members as well. Catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina showed us, how essential it is, to even have crates for the dogs. Most shelters will not allow dogs, unless they are crated. And that is yet another example, of why it is so important to crate train your dog.

Food and water are obvious items on the list. The Red Cross recommends a three-day supply in case of evacuation and a two-week supply at home. Dogs need about 1.5 ounces of water per pound body weight.

However when dogs are stressed (which is likely in an emergency scenario), they start panting and their need for water increases.

Store dry food in an airtight container to avoid spoilage because of water getting in. Change it about every six months, so it doesn’t expire. Use the same brand you normally feed.

If you change your dog's food, you risk diarrhea, when you might be short on medication, veterinary access or water. If you feed raw food, you might want to think about a high quality kibble to store for emergency situations, since freezers may not be an option. If your dog food is in cans, don’t forget the can opener!

Paperwork is important. Keep a copy of your dog’s current license, vaccination records, medical data (allergies, medication) and other information, such as name, date of birth, regular dog food, temperament (e.g. fearful of strangers), a list with emergency addresses, emergency clinic and your regular veterinary and a couple of addresses and phone numbers of pet friendly shelters and motels.

It is also good to include the contact information of your local animal shelter, they may have more information when disaster hits. If you have to evacuate to a shelter, they will want to see your dog’s records – and if you have to leave your dog behind, you can tack a copy of all these information on your door for the rescue personnel.

In case you do have to leave your dog behind, keep them safely contained inside a room, not in a crate, with enough water for a couple of days and some food.

Also important: medical supplies. Prepare a K9 first-aid kit – it is essential to have, not only in emergency situations. Keep one in your car at all times. A lot that goes into a K9 first aid kit can also be used for humans. Additionally, I always store a couple of cans of pumpkin, no sugar or any other ingredients. It helps with diarrhea and constipation.

Make sure, you have an adequate amount of your dog’s medication, if needed. Talk to your veterinary clinic about putting together an emergency medical kit, they might be able to recommend additional supplies.

Pack a dog bed, water and food bowls and pick-up bags in a box along with everything else, so you can just grab it and go. Include some favorite toys to play with and some chew toys. An additional set of leashes and collars is also useful. Make sure the tags are up to date.

It doesn't take a lot of time to prepare and plan for emergency situations. Dedicate a Sunday afternoon or Saturday morning to create an emergency preparedness kit and a plan! Enlist the help of your kids to put it together, so they are more aware, too. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some interesting and useful articles on their website, here is one specifically for pet owners:  FEMA – Information for Pet Owners.