Author: Mikey Rox / Source: Wise Bread
There’s not much time to react when disaster strikes, especially when it’s a life or death situation. You want to get out safely and as soon as possible with your family, and that includes your pets.
Saving your pets comes with its own set of circumstances, however.
For instance, many evacuation centers, should you be displaced there, don’t allow pets. So what do you do? Here’s the best course of action to protect your human and four-legged loved ones, should you need to evacuate your home quickly.Create an emergency bag for your pet
You should have an emergency bag for yourself and your family, but you also should have a separate bag for your pet to ensure that everyone’s needs are covered for at least the first few days following a disaster. Your pet’s bag should include:
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At least three days worth of food and water, plus portable bowls.
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Vet records from the previous two years, including vaccinations, your pet’s microchip number, medications, and any allergies. Be sure to have a supply of your pet’s meds packed as well.
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First-aid kit for pets; the Red Cross provides a comprehensive list of what you should have if you want to DIY (if you have a first aid kit already, there are several items that will also work for your pets), but you also can buy one from Amazon.
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Muzzle if your animal has a tendency to be aggressive, especially when frightened.
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Pet carrier.
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Treats to calm your pets.
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Photo of your pet to assist search and rescue should it go missing.
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Collar with ID and rabies tags.
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Your vet’s phone number, in case of emergency.
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Waste bags.
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Extra litter and a spare litter box if you’re a cat owner.
Take pet CPR and first-aid classes
In the event of a disaster, your dog or cat can break limbs or incur wounds with serious bleeding, and knowing how to respond appropriately in that moment can mean the difference between life and death.
“A good pet CPR class will teach you how to properly administer chest compressions and rescue breathing, create improvised splints for securing broken bones, how to perform basic wound care and stop life-threatening bleeding, and give you a list of items for your pet first aid kit,” says Scott S. Topiol, clinical director at CPR Ready in Los Angeles. “The most complete emergency kit is useless if you’re not able…
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