Emergency Preparedness for Your Pet

Include Your Pet in Your Emergency Planning

Having an emergency preparedness plan for pets is a necessity for any pet owner who is concerned about the survival of their family (and pets are family) during and after a disaster. You need to remember the one member of your family that is the most helpless: the family pet. Just as we would make special preparations for an infant, who is helpless and unable to communicate, we need to do the same for our furry and feathered friends that are entrusted with our care.

One of the things recommended for survival preparedness for people is the disaster preparedness kit or 72-hour survival kit, commonly known as a "bug out bag" or "go bag". Using this example, there are now disaster preparedness kits for pets that provide food, water, shelter and first aid.  These come in different sizes, and are designed specifically for either dogs or cats (you can also gear these towards birds). These are excellent kits to have in the closet or garage ready to pick up and toss in the car in the event of an evacuation ahead of a storm or other disaster.

Pet Disaster Survival Kit

Pet Disaster Survival Kit

Here's a brief list of items that are commonly included in a pet disaster survival kit so that you can create your own pet "bug out bag" with items you may already have or can pick up at your local discount or dollar store.

Pet Disaster Survival Kit Ingredients:

• 6 cans of food
• 12 bottles of water
• 2 blankets
• 2 lightsticks
• 2 bowls
• 1 50 inch length of rope
• 1 collar
• 1 leash
• 6 poop bags
• 3 chew sticks
• 1 can opener
• 1 first aid kit
• 1 pet's individual information (records) in a zip lock bag
• 1 3-gallon plastic bucket with lid

These kits can range in price from $40.00 to $80.00. These are ready to go and convenient. However, if you have the time, you can create your own pet disaster survival kit specifically geared towards your own special pet.  For less than $20.00, you can create a complete do it yourself disaster survival kit for your pet. All it takes is a little time and a little money.  And most can be done at your local dollar store.  However, if you do not have the time or inclination to do it yourself, go ahead and purchase a ready-made pet disaster survival kit. The most important thing is not the money but what you do that is necessary to ensure the safety of your pet.

The Family Survival Course - A Must Have

The Family Survival Course is the best plan of action out there.  I'm writing this article because of the impact this course has had on my life.  It has literally changed my life, how I think, and how I'm preparing for the inevitable economic crisis or natural disaster on the very near horizon. 
To generate the best results with your emergency preparedness plan, you need to think of all possibilities, look at the resources you have to work with and put together a plan that is customized for you and your family.  The Family Survival Course can walk you through this, and prepare you for any future crisis.  Again, this course has changed my life, and I have more confidence now that I have a plan for my family.  Check it out, you'll be glad you did..