by Ann L. Huntington, D.V.M.

Disasters drive thousands of families from their homes every year. Many of these families have pets and, when forced to evacuate, find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to hastily decided what to do with their beloved cat or dog.

Whether you're facing a flood, tornado, hurricane, fire or earthquake, you can save yourself a lot of grief and anxiety - and perhaps your pet's life - with a little planning.

Many public emergency shelters prohibit housing animals for health reasons, so your first priority should be finding a safe refuge for your pet before disaster strikes. Ideally, your pet's refuge should be located in an outlying area, preferably with friends or relatives. Make a reciprocal agreement. Offer to board their animals in the event they are struck by disaster. And be sure and talk to your neighbors. An emergency situation could arise when you're not home. If they are pet owners, make a reciprocal agreement with them. Exchange house keys and pet-care instructions.

If friends or relatives aren't an option, contact at least two boarding kennels, one nearby and one outside your immediate area. In an emergency, many kennels will be full, so it's wise to have an alternative shelter. Inquire about their boarding policies and fees. When possible, inspect the facilities in advance so you know what to expect. Most reputable kennels will accommodate your request.

Once you've decided on a plan for your pet, put together a pet survival kit. Every pet survival kit should contain the following items:

• A pet crate or carrier for each animal. Crates not only make your pet easy to transport, but prevent it from escaping and getting lost in unfamiliar surroundings. If your pet is not regularly crated, spend some time familiarizing it with the crate beforehand, so they aren't frightened.
• A week's supply of food and water for each pet. If you feed canned food, take a manual can opener.
• Food and water bowls.
• Any necessary medications.
• Cat litter box and a supply of disposable litter.
• A leash & collar for each pet with identification including your name and phone number. Every pet should have some form of permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo.
• Copies of health and immunization records.
• A few of your pet's favorite toys.

In the unfortunate event that your pet has to be left behind, make sure it has food and fresh water to last several days. Leave a sign on your door or window to indicate to rescuers how many pets, their breeds and names are inside the house.


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This information is made available to you by the efforts of YGRR volunteers. To join them in helping our homeless Goldens, please consider becoming a member or making a donation.

Thank you.

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