October Newsletter

The Disaster Evacuation Kit

Pet Emergency Preparedness

In the last few years, the U.S. has seen its share of natural disasters. Coast to coast and everywhere in between, hurricanes, floods, tornados and fires have displaced owners and their pets. Be prepared with a disaster evacuation kit for your pet!

Make sure your kit includes the following:

  1. Enough water (about one two-liter bottle per 35 pound pet, per day) and food to last at least a month. Include two containers to water and feed your pet. You should have about 30 days' worth of food stored.
  2. Two months' worth of medications for your pet.
  3. Extra leashes, harnesses and collars.
  4. Toys to entertain your pet, such as hard rubber chew toys for dogs. These toys last and can be stuffed with food to keep your dog interested.
  5. Paper towels, odor neutralizer (best stored in a spray bottle for easy use) and zip-type plastic bags. These will be used to clean any accidents your pet may have while traveling or at your destination.
  6. A medical first aid kit, including:
    • Roll bandages to dress wounds or make a temporary muzzle for a dog
    • Gauze pads
    • Antibiotic first aid cream for minor wounds
    • Hydrogen peroxide to wash scratches
    • Sanitary wipes to clean bowls, hands, etc.
    • Potty pads
    • Flashlight and fresh batteries
    • Cotton balls for cleaning
    • Small scissors
    • Tweezers
    • Face cloth
  7. Don’t forget about ID! Keep an ID tag on your pet’s collar and your pet’s can-not-fall-off microchip information up to date. If you and your pet are separated, up-to-date contact information may be the only way to reunite you. Login to update your information today.

When it becomes necessary, do not put off the decision to evacuate. You should ideally leave as soon as the situation seems bad and before evacuation advisories are issued. Make the necessary calls and leave. This will help to avoid an evacuation jam. If people are nervous or upset, pets can become upset and be more difficult to handle. Having a plan will help eliminate panic. As a pet owner, you must be safe in order to keep your pets safe.


Susan Bulanda, MA, is a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Search and Rescue Incident Commander and developer and instructor at the Canine Training and Management Program at Kutztown University.