Don't Forget Your Pets

Our daughter says that we cannot forget to do a page about our pets!  Who can forget man's best friend?  Remember Katrina?  We heard over and over about the pets who had been separated from their owners.  It is important that as responsible pet owners, we should prepare for taking care of our pets in an emergency.  If it isn't safe for you to stay, it isn't safe for your pet to stay either.

Making up a simple 72 hour kit for our pets  is a very good idea.  The following things could be included for your pet's kit.

• Dishes for the pet to drink or eat out of
• 3-7 days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
• Disposable litter trays 
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable plastic bag
• Extra harness and leash
• Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires
• Bottled water, at least 7 days' worth
• Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
• Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters)

(Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)

It is also important to put a sticker on your window letting emergency workers know that there are pets in your home.  You can get a free one here.   If you have to evacuate your home, take your pets with you and write "Evacuated" on the sticker so emergency teams won't waste time looking for your pets.

Another good thing to do is find out what locations in your area and just outside your area allow pets in case you need a place to stay while waiting to get back in your home.  Some hotels allow pets, certain campsites allow pets, or family or friends may allow you to bring your pets to stay at their home.  A plan is always important.