“I can endure hardship, but knowing I was not prepared to help my dog would add to the devastation of an evacuation,” said Christine.
Her “flight” bag is an airline under-seat "Sherpa" bag with an over-the-shoulder strap. She placed crate pads, pee pads, and a dog blanket on the
bottom. She included clean up items like: small terry towel, paper towels, poop bags, grooming brush, collapsible dishes, plastic bag with a week's worth of dry food, treats, biscuits, a couple of leashes tied to the handle, and a pet first aid kit. The extra leashes are in case you find a roving animal to help. Dog toys were included along with a safe chewy to keep her busy and her teeth clean and her spare doggie water bottle with attached dish. Christine includes in her own
grab-n-go bag water for them both. Both bags are in her front hall closet near the door.
In a plastic zip lock bag include: copies of your pet’s vaccination certificates, vet’s address, photographs of both your pet and you together, pet’s microchip number and an identification tag attached to a light buckle collar to place on your pet. The Sherpa bag also has home information in it.
You and your pets can be housed separately at
an evacuation centre so, I.D. is a paramount requirement with proper fitting buckle collars and I.D.! Make your own by using a black marker, and cardboard wrapped in heavy see-through packing tape. Include an out-of-the area friend's contact information in case you are incapacitated/hospitalized.
“I also have a small collapsible, fold-up exercise pen with a floor,” said Christine. “I also included Dolly’s medications, children’s liquid Benadryl for allergic reaction,
Polysporin antibiotic cream, non-steroid veterinary eye antibiotic and saline solution plus Kaopectate and measured medicine syringes. I keep exercise pens and "Vari-Kennel" crates in my car. I am prepared to help other pets if needed. A Rubbermaid tub in my car holds canned pet food with pull tab tops (and a can opener!)
Extra Tips:
-Have a carrier for each pet, their vet records, toys, towel, favorite blanket, and a photo of each animal in case one escapes. Have them
microchipped.
- Include cleanup products for carsick animals, and pur-chase harnesses for cats because they can’t be carried or left in carriers for days on end.
- Floods: bungee cord pet cage to floatation device like swimming kick board or a cooler.
Retired fire chief, Dan Olsen, adds, "We also have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (for cuts and scratches), duct tape (for emergency repairs), paper towel rolls and toilet
paper. We use a 'grab and go' backpack for pet and people essentials with a small cooler and five gallon bucket (with lid) in the car with supplies."
- The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) pet webpage:
https://www.fema.gov/helping-pets
