Greenbriar Animal Hospital

Not all disasters are large or widespread. Your neighbor’s house may catch on fire, or your neighborhood may be affected by a potentially toxic spill. You may be prohibited from leaving your home, or from getting back into your home. You should be prepared for several different scenarios! For more information, go to www.avma.org/disaster“Saving the whole family” or http://www.hsus.org/“Disaster services”.

Major tips for disaster preparedness:

Have “disaster kits”, one per pet, clearly labeled (so if you have to separate pets their kit goes with them). Pack in duffle bags or backpacks, and keep them close so they can be easily grabbed. If you have more than one pet, pack their kits so one person could carry them all. See handout on “Disaster kits”.

Each pet should a microchip; have the chip numbers with you. Make sure you have at least one non-local contact person listed on your pet’s chip registration, in case local phones and/or cell phones are out.

Each pet should have a collar on, with ID tag and rabies tag for dogs. Even if your pet does not usually wear a collar and tags, have one in your disaster kit. Also, have a 6 foot leash with snap (no extendables, please).

Cats and dogs weighing less than 20# should have a rigid carrier for disasters, NOT a collapsible soft carrier (in disasters, carriers may need to be stacked). The carrier should have the pet’s name and brief description, plus your name, address, and phone numbers written on it in permanent marker. Larger dogs should have fold-up wire carriers, with the same information permanently fastened to the carrier. Laminated is good!

If the carrier has a rigid dish that attaches to the inside of the door, leave it there. You should also have 1 or 2 additional bowls. Soft fold-up ones are OK if your pet won’t chew them up.

Inside each small carrier, put a large amount of shredded paper (4-6 inches deep), large folded towel, small blanket, or polar fleece. Do not include a bed – too hard to clean and dry. Inside each large fold-up wire carrier, put a folded sheet or thin blanket (small enough so you can fold the carrier shut with the fabric inside). Polar fleece works well here.

Miscellaneous helpful things to know about disaster preparedness for your pets:

For cats, have a plastic “litter box” that will fit inside the carrier, 1-2” deep and 8” by 12”. Pack it in their kit. Include a re-sealable container of your usual litter, enough for 7 days. A 1-2-liter soda bottle with screw-on lid works well. Use litter very sparingly until you know you’ll be able to get more – 1/2 cup is enough for a small box. Don’t forget a litter scoop and poop bags for disposal! Dogs that do not get along with other dogs and those who are aggressive with people (or who can be in stressful situations) should have a plastic basket muzzle (they can be worn for days; the dog can pant, drink, and even be fed with the muzzle on if needed). You’ll need to have your dog fitted for one of these special muzzles ahead of time, and get him/her used to wearing it.

Have connections and arrangements made ahead of time for neighbors or close-by friends who could go to your home and care for your pets if you can’t get there. Keep their numbers with you. Also make arrangements for a remote kennel (in another state or at least several counties away) where you could take your pets if there is a wide-area local disaster. Have their contact numbers in your disaster kit. Make arrangements for a closer-by place (perhaps in the next county) where you could take your pets if there is a local disaster. A motel that accepts pets may be an option. Have their contact numbers in the disaster kit. See our handout “Disaster kits” for additional information and tips on preparing a kit for your pet.