• Disaster Preparedness
    A Checklist for Pets

    Disasters can strike with little or no warning.  By planning ahead, you can help keep your pet as safe as possible.  Use this checklist as a guide to help you organize what you will need in the event of an energency.  For further details and information, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines for owners at www.avma.org/disasters/saving_family.asp

    Create an evacuation plan for your pets and practice it.
  • Assemble an animal evacuation kit in addition to your family's kit, to include:
  • A crate (labeled with pet's name) and bedding for each pet.
  • A 2-week supply of food and water for each pet, manual can opener, and dishes
  • Plastic bags, paper towels, newspapers, disinfectant
  • A collar, leash, harness, and muzzle or gauze roll (Animals may bite if you try to help them when they are hurt)
  • ID tags
  • Records, including: current medical and vaccination records and tags, current photos of each pet, microchip numbers, copies of health certificates, and proof of ownership.
  • Pet comfort items (eg., towels, blankets, toys)
  • A list of boarding kennels and hotels/motels that accept pets.
  • Detailed instructions for animal care and rescue workers, including any special dietary, medical, or behavioral issues.
  • A pet first-aid kit, including extra bottles of daily medications and/or copies of prescriptions
  • Contact information, including cell phone number, out-of-state telephone contact, and your veterinary hospital's name and telephone number.

Be certain your pets have identification on them in case you are separated.  Consider microchipping your pet, if you haven't done so already, and register your pet with a national database.

Preplace stickers on your doors, in case you are not at home, notifying emergency personnel of the pets in your house and where to find them and their evacuation kit.