Preparing Your Cat for Evacuation

Evacuating with a cat can be more challenging than with a dog. Emergencies and disasters can occur suddenly, including wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes. It is essential to have a plan in place.

Cats tend to be more independent than dogs and can be more prone to flee for safety when danger arises. It’s important to keep them calm and stress-free while ensuring they remain secure.

Our domestic cats depend on us for their safety, while community or stray cats are usually more resourceful and better equipped to handle severe weather conditions. In this blog, let’s discuss how to prepare your furry feline for any potential emergencies that may arise.

Make a plan:

1. Be aware of the types of disasters that are most common in your area, as this knowledge is crucial for effective planning. For instance, if you are concerned about tornadoes or earthquakes, you may need to shelter in place. However, if you are worried about wildfires or hurricanes, you might need to evacuate your home.
2. Know your evacuation route. Are there multiple ways out? If the roads are blocked, will you need to hike out?
3. Have a Buddy System – If you aren’t at home, make sure your neighbors know how to get your cat and where you keep their emergency kit.
4. Have a list with phone numbers of your local veterinarians, animal shelters, boarding facilities and pet-friendly hotels along your route.

Planning:

1. Crate train your cat so they can travel comfortably and reduce their stress.
2. Microchipping your cat and having an ID on their collar could help you get reunited if you get separated.
3. Get them used to car rides. For many of us, we only take our cat for a car ride when they have to go to the vet. Once they get used to a carrier or crate, take them for short car rides and then back home.  Make it a fun experience for them.

Make an Emergency Kit:

1. 

   Premium Cat Emergency Kit with Carrier

   Carrier for Your Cat’s Emergency Supplies. When planning for an emergency with your cat, consider how you will transport supplies. If you need to hike out, a backpack or cinch bag for your cat’s supplies will be useful. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to carry your cat in its carrier, so try to keep your hands free for other essential items.

   If you are sheltering in place, a lidded bucket or an old suitcase can serve as a storage solution. Be sure to keep it sealed, especially if you store it in a basement or a central room in your home, to avoid attracting rodents.

2. Food and Water – FEMA recommends a minimum of a 72-hour supply of food and water. Our Mayday Emergency Cat food is foil sealed and has a 5-year shelf life.  Never repackage your cat’s kibble.  Once it is exposed to air, it can go bad within 3 weeks.  You can purchase a smaller bag and leave it in the original bag.  Just make sure you rotate it based on the expiration date on the bag.  Similar plastic bottles of water come with a 1-year shelf life, and our Mayday Emergency Drinking Water, because of the packaging, is good for 5 years.  If you want to learn more about how much water your cat needs, check out our last blog ” How much water does my pet need“.
3. Bowls – for both the food and water
4. Slip lead to keep them secure or a collar and leash
5. Night light – preferably a clip-on or light-up collar in case you have to evacuate at night.
6. Basic First Aid Supplies
7. Mylar Blanket for warmth.
8. ID Card – Filled out with your cat’s information
9. Litterbox, litter, scoop and waste disposal bags.
10. Waterproof pouch to store your pet’s documentation and medication
11. 5 days’ worth of their medication.
12. Shot records.
13. Your pet’s favourite toy.

Storing your pet’s kit:

Once you have your kit together, store it in a cool, dry place.  Depending on your emergency plan, it might be in a central room or basement of your home, or if you need to shelter in place, a closet close to your exit door if you have to evacuate quickly.

Stay Alert:

When the weather turns bad, stay alert, never leave your cat behind.  Evacuate early, before it becomes mandatory.  If there is a tornado or earthquake, try to grab your cat and either get to your safe space or under a table.