--- title: "Disaster Preparedness" description: "Prepare your cat for emergencies and natural disasters with essential evacuation kits, pet-friendly shelter planning, and microchip tips." date: "2016-09-08T05:32:25Z" author: "Just Cats Clinic" image: "/img/eba9bd7d" canonical: "/disaster-preparedness/" --- # Disaster Preparedness Disaster can strike at any moment, and it is important to develop an emergency evacuation plan and kit in case of flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, or other disasters for you and your family. As you prepare your emergency plans, do not forget to include your feline companions. Having an evacuation location planned in advance and a disaster preparedness kit ready to go in the event of an emergency is vital. Hopefully you will never need it, but you will certainly be glad to have it if you do. ## Planning Ahead for Evacuation Due to local and state regulations, evacuation shelters often cannot accept pets when families in the surrounding area are evacuated from their homes, with the exception of service animals. Make sure to compile a list with phone numbers and directions for any shelters that accept pets during emergencies, local hotels that allow pets, boarding facilities, and friends or family members living outside the evacuation zone who are willing to shelter you and your cats. When emergency shelters do accommodate pets, animals are frequently required to stay inside crates. Ensure you have a crate large enough to fit your cat, a litter box, and food and water bowls. ![Cat resting safely inside an open carrier with bedding](/img/eba9bd7d) ## Assembling a Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit Next, assemble a disaster preparedness kit dedicated to your pets. Keep the following supplies stored in waterproof bags or containers: - Prepared list of pet-friendly evacuation locations, complete with phone numbers and directions - Complete medical and vaccination records, including microchip numbers and registration information - Any medications your cat is taking, along with written prescriptions from your veterinarian in case your evacuation lasts longer than anticipated (including prescription diets) - A basic pet first-aid kit (available from the American Red Cross or assembled yourself). Recommended items include: latex gloves, gauze sponges, roll of gauze, elastic cling bandage, material to make a splint, adhesive tape, sterile pads, small scissors, tweezers, grooming clipper or safety razor, magnifying glass, nylon leash, towel, muzzle, emergency blanket, water-based sterile lubricant, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic towelettes, insect sting relief pads, cotton-tipped swabs, instant cold pack, Epsom salt, baby dose syringe or eye dropper, sterile eye lubricant, sterile saline wash, safety pins, tongue depressor, children's Benadryl with specific dosing instructions from your veterinarian, glucose syrup or Karo syrup, styptic powder, plastic card to scrape away stingers, petroleum jelly, penlight with batteries, clean cloth, needle-nose pliers, and a digital thermometer - *Pet First Aid* by Barbara Mammato, DVM, MPH (endorsed by the American Red Cross and The Humane Society of the United States) to guide you through emergency medical situations - Litter box, litter scoop, litter disposal bags, food and water dishes, and clean bedding - At least a 10-day supply of food, water, and cat litter - One or two familiar toys to help comfort your cat - Recent photograph of your cat along with microchip details in case your pet becomes lost - Feliway spray or wipes. Feliway is a synthetic feline facial pheromone analog that mimics the pheromones cats deposit when rubbing against objects to mark a safe territory. Applying Feliway to carriers or crates helps reduce stress and comfort cats in unfamiliar surroundings. - Sturdy carrier or crate, and an escape-proof harness and leash ## Preventing Escapes and Ensuring Identification One of the greatest dangers during an evacuation or emergency disaster is the risk of a pet escaping. Even with thorough preparation, emergency displacement is an intensely stressful and disorienting event for cats. The most reliable safeguard against permanently losing your cat is a functioning microchip paired with a breakaway collar and ID tag. Always keep a current photograph of your cat on hand, as well as the phone number and registry details for your cat's microchip provider, so you can file a lost pet report immediately if separation occurs. ## Home Signage and Notification Place an emergency rescue sticker on a window or door on each side of your home indicating how many pets live inside, what species they are, and an emergency contact phone number. This provides lifesaving information to first responders during fires or disasters when you are away from home. If you successfully evacuate with your pets, place an "EVACUATED" sticker or notice on your front door and ground-level windows to let rescue teams know that all occupants and pets are safely accounted for. ## Additional Resources For additional emergency guidance and disaster planning templates, consult the resources provided by the [American Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html) and the [Humane Society of the United States](https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-disaster-plan-your-pets).