Emergency Preparedness

Food
Keep at least three days worth of pet food in an airtight, waterproof container

Water
Store at least three days worth of water specifically for your pets, in addition to the water you need for yourself and your family

Medicine and medical records
Keep an extra supple of all the medicines that your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container

First Aid Kit
What to include in your pet first aid kit:

• Cotton swabs or cotton balls. These are used to clean wounds and areas around your dog’s eyes and ears. Do not use a cotton swab in your pet’s eyes or ears. 
• Cotton bandage roll that is used to bandage a wound
• Gauze to be used to wrap a wound and keep underlying cotton in place. 
• Tape
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Antibiotic ointment
• Flea and tick prevention
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Isopropyl alcohol that is used to disinfect wounds
• Saline solution that is used to clean a wound as well as to wash out an irritated eye. 
• Backup Medication if your pet takes any medications or supplements. Make sure to have at least a week’s worth of backup supply in your kit. 
• Waterproof container that is used to prevent any potential water damage. 
• Thermal blanket that is used to keep your pet warm and regulate temperature.
• Cold packs used to reduce swelling. Make sure to keep your dog from chewing on cold packs, as they do contain toxins inside. 
• Digital thermometer and lube to gauge your pets temperature.  Make sure to keep a constant eye on your pet’s temperature to prevent any sudden spikes or drops due to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 
• Antihistamine medication but make sure to check with your vet first before giving to your pet. Antihistamines contain diphenhydramine, which can cause an allergic reaction in some pets. 

Be sure to keep up with these materials by checking their expiration dates every six months. If a material is expired, toss it and replenish your supply. 

Collar with ID tag, harness, or leash
Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar, and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit. You should also consider talking with your veterinarian about a microchip for permanent identification, as well as enrolling your pet in a recovery database.

Copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents
Place all  important documents in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container. 

Crate or other pet carrier
Your ability to transport your pets in an emergency situation will be aided by having a safe, sturdy, comfortable crate or carrier ready to go. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down in.

Sanitation
Include pet litter and a litter box (if appropriate), as well as newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. You can use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency situation, you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches, or those with added cleaners.

A picture of you and your pet together
If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing characteristics.

Familiar items
Put favorite toys, treats, or bedding in the kit. Familiar items can help reduce your pet’s stress.

Be prepared to assess the situation. Use whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s safety in the case of an emergency. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision you have to make is whether you will stay put or get away.

You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and the information you are learning here to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not be able to quickly provide information about the situation and what you should do. However, you can always watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for instructions. If you’re specifically told to evacuate, stay in, or seek medical treatment, do so immediately.

Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you as long as that is a practical option. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your animals may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance, depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends that would be willing to take in both you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital, that is near an evacuation facility or your family’s meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. In addition, designate specific locations – one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away – where you will meet in case of an emergency.

Talk to your veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things that you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. Get the names of veterinarians or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. You should also consider talking with your veterinarian about a microchip for permanent identification, as well as enrolling your pet in a recovery database. If your pet has a microchip, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to helping you reunite with your pet.

Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies, animal shelters, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit. Obtain “Pets Inside” stickers and place them on your doors or windows; these stickers include information on the number and types of pets in your home in order to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the words “Evacuated with Pets” across the stickers, should you flee with your pets.

Pets and wildlife of all shapes, sizes and ages can become stuck in storm drains, sewers, open plumbing, HVAC openings and outdoor cracks and crevices. If you recognize an animal that is stuck in one of these precarious and dangerous situations, call Roto-Rooter at 1-800-GET-ROTO or schedule service online for their FREE pet rescue service. Roto-Rooter is well-known for their plumbing and water cleanup service, but they will also use state-of-the-art machinery, drain/sewer video cameras and even industrial excavation equipment to save the life of an animal in danger – all for free (at participating locations).

If you think your home or business has drains or pipes that are easily accessible to your dog, cat, or wildlife, contact Roto-Rooter. Their experts can tour your property, assess vulnerabilities and help you find solutions that will keep your property working properly and keep your animals safe.

For more information, visit https://www.rotorooter.com/petrescues/