June is here, and it’s National Pet Preparedness Month. Are you prepared to evacuate with your pet? We are here to help you with your pet emergency preparedness. Let’s keep this simple so you can even get your kids involved. You know the 2-legged kind.
MAKE-A-PLAN
- Know what kind of disasters are most likely to happen in your area. This will help with planning whether you need to bug out or shelter in place.
Sheltering in place
- This should be in an interior room, preferably with no windows. It could even be a bathroom. Store your emergency supplies in that room and make sure everyone in your family knows where they are.
Evacuating – Leaving your home
- Know your route – You might have to hike out on foot.
- Have an emergency kit ready for your pets that you can grab and go. Items needed are listed below.
- Make a buddy plan with a local neighbor or close friend, so if you’re not home, they can retrieve your pets and their emergency kits. Make sure they know where you keep them.
- Make a list of important phone numbers – Animal Control, local boarding facilities and veterinarians along your route. Also, it’s good to include hotels that accept pets.
- Add at least 5 days’ worth of your pet’s medication in their emergency kit and a copy of their shot records.
- Take a selfie now with your pet in case you are separated. This is a great form of identification.
A Pet Emergency Kit should include the following:
- At least a 72-hour supply of food and water
- 2 bowls for food and water
- Basic first aid supplies that are safe to use on pets
- Pet first aid brochure in case cell tours are down and you can’t get internet access
- ID Tag
- Collar and leash or slip lead for quick access.
- Waste Disposal bags – Cat kits should include litterbox, litter and scoop
- LED night light in case you need to evacuate after dark.
- ID card will be needed if you have to board your pets in a shelter.
- Blanket and toys
- Medications: a minimum 5-day supply is recommended
- Shot records
- Waterproof pouch to store their shot records and medications.
Other items
- Crate or carrier
- Grooming supplies
- Zip ties
Things you can do to prepare now so your pet is ready
- Have your pet microchipped. This will help you to reunite quickly if you get separated and are found. If you have moved or changed phone numbers, make sure your information has been updated.
- Train your pet now to go for car rides and not just to the vet.
- Crate training is great for most pets. Dogs and cats alike are den animals and like to have a safe space to relax in. My pets all have their crates, and the doors are always open. When they feel stressed or it’s time to go to bed at night head straight for their crates. It’s their safe space. Never punish your pet by putting it in a crate.
In honor of National Pet Preparedness Month, we hope these tips help you with your pet’s emergency planning. We are also offering a 15% discount on all items that are not on sale this month when you use the code NPPM2025.
Don’t forget to practice your evacuation plan.
Resource: Ready.Gov
