Preparing Yourself & Your Pets For Disaster

If there's something certain in life, it's that every day life is not certain. Things happen and, more often than we wish, disasters happen. And while we can't prevent them from happening, we are able to certainly prepare ourselves and people we like for when the time comes.

So what else could you do? Well, the first step in disaster preparedness is assembling an emergency supply kit, typically filled with blankets, changes of clothes, food, water, and medical supplies.

Below, you’ll find a listing of some recommended items to devote your kit to keep both all your family members and pets safe. Once complete, this kit ought to be stored in an accessible area.

Disaster Supplies for You as well as your Pets

Human and Animal First Aid Kit

including items such as antiseptic wipes, gauze, tweezers, saline rinse, cotton pads, bandaging material, peroxide, in addition to any all medications needed.

If you're unsure of what else to incorporate, consult with your physician and veterinarian.

3-7 Days Worth of Pet/Human Food

be sure to rotate this food out every 8 weeks for freshness

Litter and Disposable Litter Trays (for those who have the cat)

Fecal Waste Bags (for those who have a dog)

Liquid Dish Soapy Disinfectants 

Paper Towels or Rags For Cleaning Purposes 

Disposable Trash Bags

Pet Feeding and Water Bowls

Extra Collars/Harnesses and Extra Leashes

Photocopies of Medical Records 

Crate or Carrying Cage For Your Pet (preferably one for each)

Flashlight/Blanket

Extra Change of Clothes (for those members of all your family members)

It’s also incredibly important that all your pets wear their collars and tags all the time too – if you get separated during a disaster. Tags should include your pet’s name, phone number, and any urgent health conditions. With this said, the ASPCA always recommends microchipping your dog as another type of identification should you get separated.

In addition to creating an urgent situation supply kit for both you, your loved ones, as well as your animals, it's also important to setup an evacuation or shelter plan appropriate for the disaster you will potentially face.

Those you might experience most often or those you're for the most part risk to endure depend majorly on where you reside. So it’s vital to understand the hazards that may potentially hit your neighborhood after which formulate an agenda to best increase your chances of comfort and safety.

Please remember that you should always follow evacuation protocols set by your city authorities.

For those vulnerable to earthquakes:

Many don’t know this, but most injuries that occur during earthquakes are due to shifting or falling things for the home, so it’s vital that you do an inventory of the potentially problematic items in your home – that way you’re aware of very damaging areas when it's time.

For those residing in earthquake-prone areas, consider fastening shelves securely to walls and placing large/heavy items on lower shelves. Breakable items such as glass or antiques ought to be stored in cabinets or pantry with lockable doors.

It’s crucial that, in the case you aren’t able to evacuate your house safely throughout an earthquake, you pre-identify places in your house that could potentially protect your loved ones and pets if need be. These places include strong tables or sturdy furniture pieces.

For those prone to tornadoes/hurricanes:

Tornadoes and hurricanes can be as frightening because they are deadly, so it’s important that you follow every provision if you reside in an area where these disasters can take place. It’s important too that you simply bring your pets inside if there are storm warnings, as pets can easily become frightened or disoriented when left alone.

In the case that you simply cannot appropriately evacuate during one of these simple storms, you need to familiarize yourself with your home and set a secure location – preferably at the smallest reason for your home – to become your designated shelter.

Once you’ve selected a location, it’s a smart idea to structurally strengthen the region in any way possible, as this safe shelter will probably be the stronghold that keeps you, your loved ones, and your animals protected through the storm.

Seeing as both these storms involved strong rain and wind, please keep in mind that public water supplies and private wells might not be safe to drink during or after the storm. Plan for this and be sure that the emergency kit has at least 7 days worth of water for each person and animal.

For those prone to flooding:

For those familiar with floodings, you realize precisely how quickly they can start, as well as how fast they can become life-threatening. Actually, of all the disasters, flooding results in probably the most injuries and deaths.

Did you know that just six inches of moving water can knock you down? And only one foot of moving water can sweep your automobile away?
If you live within an area vulnerable to flooding, it’s vital that you learn and exercise your city’s evacuation routes and plans. To prepare for a situation that you cannot evacuate, locate high-ground areas in your area (much like your roof) where you can find safety throughout the rising waters.

For those prone to wildfires:

Wildfires are simply that – wild fires. They are not to be controlled and move swiftly over the land. When and if a wildfire threatens your area, the best possible move to make is to evacuate early to avoid becoming trapped.

Be sure to drive slow and keep your headlights on if there is smoke, as it will disrupt your visibility.

In the case that you simply aren’t unable to evacuate, it’s important to help your house be and surrounding areas as fire-resistant as you can. What this means is reducing the quantity of flammable materials around your house. When and when the time comes, a building ought to be your first choice for shelter if evacuation isn’t possible. Close all of the doors and windows, but leave everything unlocked in the event you need to flee.

Disasters can and do happen. Believing otherwise isn't realistic and may increase the risk for injury, confusion, or separation individuals, all your family members, and pets

My mother once explained, “Better to be and not need it, then not have access to it and want it.” Of course, she had been referring to her wallet at that time, however it pertains to almost everything in everyday life – including disaster preparedness.

It’s far better to be ready for bad weather that may never come, then to have a storm come and also have nothing.

It’s better to have a disaster kit and never need it, then not to have a disaster kit and want one.

The concept of something happening to my dogs or family members throughout a crisis due to my lack of preparation doesn’t sit very well with me and I doubt it sits well along with you. Like a lot of out there, my dogs are my entire life and at the end of the day, I'm afraid not for what a disaster might to do to me, but what one might do in order to certainly one of my animals.

While I am unable to control the planet around me, I can give my dogs and myself the best possible chance in the case of an urgent situation. By using some of the recommendations above, you can as well.

Learn different options to keep our pets safe:

Unexpected Pet Poisons

What Does My Dog's Poop Mean?

Myths About Rescue Dogs