“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 dog food, treats, biscuits, a couple of leashes tied to the handle and a pet first aid kit.

 

The extra leashes are for when 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 and a kennel are in near the front 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 center 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 have her 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 wet pet food with pull tab tops (and a can opener!)

 

Internet pet first aid classes, emergency kit ideas and supplies for both pets and people.  https://shopsafetyproducts.ca/first-aid-kits/first-aid-kits/pet-kit-38

and

 

Extra Tips:
- Have a pet carrier/kennel for each pet. Store the following in the carrier; vet records, toys, towel, favorite blanket, and a photo of each animal in case one escapes. Have them microchipped.
- Line the carriers with puppy pads, old towels, crate pads in case of accidents.
- Litter trays and litter.
- Include cleanup products for carsick animals, and pur-chase your cats harnesses because they can’t be carried or left in carriers for days on end. 

- Floods: bungee cord pet cage to flotation device like swimming kick board or a cooler. 
 
Retired fire chief, Dan Olsen, adds, "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 which contains a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (for cuts and scratches), duct tape (for emergency repairs), paper towel rolls and toilet paper."

 

- NOTE: Pet water left outside that has ash in it turns to lye. Replace often and put out fresh water for wild animals that are disoriented fleeing their homes. 
 
- The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) pet webpage:  https://www.fema.gov/helping-pets
 
Tell us about your fun/amazing/crazy pet!
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Mary Ellen's Silver Persians swam their way into readers and viewer's hearts!

 

Several National and International TV shows featured the swimming felines teaching pet-water-safety.

 

Their furry faces also appeared on a line of t-shirts and on Animal Planet and Anderson Cooper's show.

 

They have appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world. (France, England, Canada, China, Germany, USA, etc.) and are mentioned in Chicken Soup for the Soul books.