Are Your Pets Ready for Disaster? Part II

When there is a threat of disaster, don't waste time. Know what to do and where to go ahead of time.

• If there is no need to evacuate, locate and confine your pet. Bring pets inside away from windows; consider easy to clean areas such as bathrooms, kitchen or utility room.


• Have your portable disaster kit in an accessible location and ready to go.


• Check your pets' collars to ensure they are securely attached and have identification on them. Having your pets microchipped is also a good idea.


• If you are not home and an emergency evacuation order is given, contact a friend or neighbor to take your pets and their disaster kits to a designated location.

If you haven't included pet supplies in your disaster kit, now would be a good time to remedy that. Handy items to keep in your kit include:

• A weeks supply of food and water.
• A can opener.
• Food and water dishes. Collapsible dishes are easiest to transport.
• Any medication that your pet may take. Have a small emergency supply on hand, but remember to rotate it as the expiration date nears.
• Copies of vaccination records stored in a waterproof container or plastic bag. Include the name and address of your veterinarian along with an authorization form allowing medical treatment for your pet if you are not available.
• Sturdy leash and harness for each pet.
• Carrier or crate for each pet. Make sure it is well labeled.
• Toys and bed.
• Recent photographs of your pet. A photo with you in it is the best way to prove ownership of a pet.

The dog pictured just found out that his owner doesn't have a preparedness kit for him. He also looks just like my dog, Jack, and now I'm feeling pretty guilty because, honestly, I don't have a kit for him. I have one for our other dog, but I haven't gotten around to making one for Jack. It might have something to do with the fact that Jack ate my picnic table, a baseball bat and my pink rubber boots. Don't worry, it's on my to-do list.