Do Not Wait Until It Is Too late

Countless times people have been told to leave their homes for a "short time," only to find that they cannot return for days or even weeks. Even disasters like gas leaks and minor flooding can keep you from tending to your animals for extended periods of time. To prevent situations such as these take your animals with you.

It is best to be overly cautious during a disaster warning. Preparing ahead of time and acting quickly is the best way to keep you and your family, including your animals, out of danger.

Preparing a Disaster Plan

Assemble an animal evacuation kit.
Develope an evacuation plan for all your animals and practice the plan.
If you live in an apartment, make sure your animals are on record with management and are able to evacuate via the stairwell.
Keep all vehicles well maintained and filled with gas. 
Keep emergency cash on hand.


In Case You Are Not Home


Preplace stickers on the front and back house doors to notify neighbors, firefighters, police, and other rescue personnel that animals are on your property, and where to find your evacuation supplies.


List of Important Emergency Contacts

Prepare this list before disaster strikes. Include addresses and 24-hour contact numbers, if available.
These contacts can be used by rescue personnel responding to a disaster affecting your animals or by you during a disaster or evacuation. Keep one copy near your telephone and one copy in your evacuation kit.

Numbers where you may be reached (pager, cell phone,work phone)
Your prearranged evacuation site
Local contact person in case of emergency when you are not available
Out-of-state contact person
Your veterinarians name, clinic name, phone number
Alternate veterinarian (30-90 miles away, provides boarding)
Boarding facility (local)
Boarding facility (30-90 miles away)
Hotels that allow pets (90 mile radius)
Local Animal Control
Local Police Department
Local Fire Department
Local Public Health Department
Local animal shelter
Local Red Cross chapter
Local Humane Society
Local SPCA
List of internet "lost and found" animal sites.


Evacuation Essentials

The following lists will help you prepare for your animal(s) in the event of a disaster. The evacuation kit should be assembled before hand inan easy-to-carry, waterproof containers.  It should be stored  in an easily accessibile location away from areas with temperature extremes. Replace the food,water, and medications as often as needed to maintain their quality and freshness and in accordance with expiration dates. Indicate medications that are stored elsewhere due to temperature requirements such as refrigeration.

Consult your veterinarian for advice on making an evacuation first aid kit that is appropriate for your individual pets. You may want to include an amimal first aid book in your kit.


Small animal Evacuation Kit

2 week supply of food (dry & canned)
2 weeks supply of water in plastic gallon jugs with secure lids
Batteries (flashlight,radio)
Cage/carrier (one for each animal, labeled with your contact information)
Can opener (manual)
Wildlife/cat gloves
Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership
Emergency contact list
Familiar items to make pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets)
First aid kit (see below)
Flashlight
Instructions
Diet: record the diet for each individual pet
Medications: List each animal seperately, including dose and frequency for each medication
provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills
Leash, collar and or harness (for each animal)
Litter, litter pan, litter scoop
Maps of local area and alternate routes (in case of road closures)
Muzzles (cat or dog)
Newspapers (bedding, litter)
No-spill food and water dishes
Paper towels
Radio (solar and battery operated)
Spoon for canned food
Stakes and tie-outs
Trash bags


Small Animal First Aid Kit

Consult your veterinarian when developing a first aid kit. The items below serve only as examples
of what may be included in a small animal first aid kit.

Activated charcoal
Anti-diarrheal liquid or tablets
Antibiotic ointment (for wounds)
Antibiotic eye ointment
Bandage scissors
Bandage tape
Betadine (povidone-iodine) or Nolvasan (chlorhexidine) scrub and solution
Cotton bandage rolls
Cotton-tipped swabs
Elastic bandage rolls
Eye rinse (sterile)
Flea and tick prevention and treatment
Gauze pads and rolls
Ice cream sticks (which may be used as splints)
Isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads
Latex gloves or non-allergic gloves
Liquid dish detergent (mild wound and body cleanser
Measuring spoon
Medications and preventatives (such as heartworm prevention), minimum 2 week supply,
with clearly labeled instructions.
Non-adherent bandage pads
Saline solution (for rinsing wounds)
Sterile lubricant (water based)
Styptic powder (clotting agent)
Syringe or eyedropper
Thermometer (digital)
Touniquet
Towel and washcloth
Tweezers


Transportation / Housing

Leash, collar and /or harness for each pet.
Collapsible cage or airline approved carrier
should also be available for each pet, and
bedded properly, for transportation and
housing purposes - owning enough carriers
to accomodate your pets facilitates a speedy
evacuation and may mean the difference between
the life or death of your pet.

Cat carriers should be large enough to hold a
small litter pan and 2 small dishes, and still
allow your cat room enough to lie down comfortably
or stand to use the litter pan.
Dog kennels or collapsible cages should be
large enough to hold two no-spill bowls and still
allow enough roo for your dog to stand and turn around.

For added assurance, clearly label each carrier with
with your indentification and contact information.

Locate and prearrange an evacuation site for your
family and animals outside your immediate area. Ideally,
this will be a friend/relative or a pet-friendly hotel that
is willing to let your family and pets stay in the event
of a disaster. Other possible animal housing options
include veterinary hospitals, boarding kennels, and 
animal shelters.


Evacuating Other Types of Pets

Indentification, medical records and proof of ownership are equally as important for other kinds of pets as for the aforementioned animals. Transportation of these species may require additional attention and care in order to decrease chances of stress-induced illness and death. It is important to keep pets from different sources as seperate as possible and maintain the best possible and maintain the best possible hygeine in order to decrease disease transmission.

Birds

Transportation of pet birds is best accomplished using small, secure, covered carriers to avoid injury.
If traveling in cold weather, always warm the interior of your vechicle before moving your bird(s) from the house to the vehicle.

Transfer your bird(s) to a standard cage upon arrival at the evacuation site; covering the cage may reduce stress; this transfer should occur in a small, enclosed roomto reduce the risk of escape. Birds should be kept in quieet areas and not allowed out of the cage in unfamiliar surroundings fresh food and water should be provided daily.
If your bird appears to be ill, be sure to lower the cage perch, food dish, and water bowl, and  consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. In addition to the pertinent items listed under the small animal evacuation kit, include: 

Necessary dietary supplements
Plant mister for cooling birds in hot weather
Hot water bottle for warming birds in cold weather
Materials to line the bottom of the cage
Cage perch
Toys

Reptiles

Transportation of small reptiles can be accomplished using a pillowcase, cloth
sack, or small transport carrier.
If possible promote defecation before transporting the animal (for example allow
tortoises, lizards, or snakes to soak in a shallow water bath before bagging or caging).

Transfer your pet to a secure cage at the evacuation site as soon as possible and 
appropriate.
In addition to the pertinent items listed under the small animal evacution kit, Include:

Esential dietary supplements
Water bowl for soaking
Spray bottle for misting
Extra bags or newspapers
Heating pad
Battery operated heating source or other appropriate heating source
Extra batteries
Appropriate handling gloves/supplies

Since most reptiles do not eat daily, feeding during evacuation circumstances may increase
stress. Determine if feeding is in the animals best interest, especially if the container may
become fouled.
Housing at the evacuation facility should be consistant with that required by the reptile. The
enclosure should , if possible, be placed in a controlled environment, away from areas of heavy
traffic, loud noises, and vibrations.
Make sure that the container housing the reptile is escape proof. Nonetheless, plan for escape.


Amphibians

Transportation  of amphibians can be accomplished by using watertight plastic bags
such as the ones used for fish transport, or plastic containers, such as plastic shoe 
boxes or plastic food containers with snap-on lids.
It is best to place only one species, or if possible one animal per container.

Small ventilation holes should be placed in the upper wall or plastic lid. Smooth the inner
surface of the holes with a file or sandpaper to prevent injury to the animal.
For terrestrial or semi-aquatic amphibians use a tiny amount of water, or moistened paper 
towels, clean foam rubber, or moss as a suitable substrate.
For aquatic species, fill the plastic bag 1/3 full of water, then inflate the bag with fresh air
and close with a knot or rubberband. It is best to use clean water from the animals enclosure
to minimize physiologic stress.
Care must be taken to monitor water and air temperature, humidity,lighting and nutrition
during the time that the animal will be in the evacuation facility.
Housing at the evacuation facility should be consistant with that required by the amphibian.
The enclosure should if possible, be placed in a controlled environment, away from areas of
heavy traffic, loud noises, and vibrations.
Make sure that the enclosure is escape proof. Nonetheless, plan for escapes.
Take an extra container of water, clean moist paper towels or clean moss as is appropriate
in case any of your pet's containers break or leak.
Feeding during evacuation circumstances may increase stress so it may not be in the animal's
best interest to supply food, especially if the water may become fouled.


Other Small Animals

Transportation of most small mammals (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, guinea 
pigs, etc). is best accomplished using a secure, covered carrier or cage to reduce  stress.
In addition the the pertinent items listed under small animal evacuation kit, include:

Necessary dietary supplements
Extra bedding materials
Appropriate excerise equipment


An Evacuation Order Has Been Issued...
Now What Do You Do?

Evacuate your family, including your animals, as early as possible. By leaving early, you will decrease
the chance of becoming victims of the disaster.

Bring your dogs, cats, and other small animals indoors.
Make sure all animals have some form of identification securely fastened to them (or their cage, in the case of smaller, caged pets). The utilization of permanent identification is encouraged.
Place all small pets, including cats and dogs, inside individual transportable carriers.
When stressed animals that normally get along may become aggressive towards each other.
Secure leashes on all large dogs.
Load your larger animal carriers/cages into your vehicle. These will serve as temporary housing for your pets if needed.
Load the animal evacuation kit and supplies into your vechicle.


After The Disaster

Survey the area inside and outside your home to identify sharp objects, dangerous materials,
dangerous wildlife, contaminated water, downed power lines, or other hazards.
Examine your animals closely and, and contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe
injuries or signs of illness.
Familiar scents and landmarks may have changed, and this can confuse your animals.
Release cats, dogs and other small animals indoors only. They could encounter dangerous
wildlife and debris if they are allowed outside unsupervised and unrestrained.
Release birds and reptiles only if necessary, and only when they are calm and in an enclosed room.
Reintoduce food in small servings, gradually working up to full portions if animals have been without food
for a prolonged period of time.
Allow uninterrupted rest/sleep for all animals to recover from the trauma and stress.
If your animals are lost, physically check animal control and animal shelters daily for lost
animals.
Post waterproof lost animal notices and notify local law enforcement, animal care and control
officials, veterinarians, and your neighbors of any lost animals (utilize online resources for lost
and found animals).