Essential Tips for Animal Rescue Preparedness
The experience of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 highlighted a critical flaw in disaster preparedness: the lack of formal evacuation plans for pets.
Because many residents refused to evacuate and risk leaving their pets behind, nearly half of non-evacuees stayed, endangering themselves. The tragedy resulted in an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 pet deaths across the Gulf Coast.
This event was the catalyst for mandatory changes in disaster planning, underscoring the vital necessity for families to prepare comprehensive pet evacuation kits today.
🎒 Essential Pet Evacuation Kits
Following a disaster, the immediate safety and well-being of your pet depend on a readily accessible evacuation kit. The following supplies should be prepared and kept in a designated, easy-to-grab container.
Dog Evacuation Kit
Supplies: 1 week supply of food and any necessary medication.
Documents: Copy of current rabies certificate and a picture of you and your dog(s) together in case of separation.
Containment/Safety: Crate for each dog OR harness and seatbelt for vehicle security.
Walking Gear: Leash, collar, and tag, and dog waste bags.
Comfort & Care: Water, bowls for food and water, can opener (if needed), a toy or bone for comfort, and a first aid kit.
Cat Evacuation Kit
Supplies: 1 week supply of food and any necessary medication.
Documents: Copy of current rabies certificate and a picture of you and your cat(s) together in case of separation.
Containment/Safety: Cat carrier with a puppy pad liner or towel for comfort for each cat.
Essentials: Collar and tag, harness with leash, waste bags, and litter with a small litter box or foil baking pans (newspaper can be used as a substitute).
Comfort & Care: Water, bowls for food and water, can opener (if needed), and a first aid kit.
Wag On Inn Fosters Guidance
Wag On Inn fosters should treat their foster dog as a member of the family during natural disasters.
For a full copy of the organization’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, please visit: https://arcg.is/1ajzye0.