Dog-Sense For All Dog Owners
DISASTER EVACUATION
WITH PETS
Florida dog owners lost livestock but thanked us for this disaster evacuation information that enabled them to save small animals
from Hurricane Ian and other threats.
October 10, 2022 update | TheDogPress
Barbara J. Andrews, Editor-In-Chief

Everyone needs an emergency
plan in the event of floods, fires, or other disasters but if you have pets or
elderly family members, copy and save this evacuation information.
Hurricanes wreak havoc but
unlike tornadoes you have days to prepare for possible evacuation. Today we
face the increasing threat of chemical spills such as forced
evacuations in Ohio when people were exposed to hydrogen sulfide in August 2022.
Floods or
storms give warning but human mobs can erupt suddenly and be even
more violent.
"Be prepared" isn't just Boy Scout
wisdom it is common sense in today's world.
Collars, Leashes and Crates
Will the cat panic when loaded in the family car with your dog?
You bet! Crates can be a virtual lifesaver - for the driver as well as
your frightened animals. Purchase cloth-web leashes
and martingale type collars for each animal.
Even a well trained dog may panic and slip loose from an ordinary collar
or run away to snag a leash and literally choke in a choke collar.
If your dog doesn’t usually wear a collar, purchase a
buckle-on I.D. collar that can be permanently labeled with your name and phone number. Keep the I.D. collar with the crate or by the door so you can quickly slip it on your dog. Look for collars with
waterproof pockets to hold
pet prescriptions and if you have
more than one pet, put duplicate medications in each dog's collar or tape them on in
separately marked, tiny zip lock bags. Use electrical tape to
also affix a minimum 48 hour supply of any medication to each animal’s crate.
Attach an extra leash to the dog's
pet carrier, which should be just
big enough for him to turn around in so as to conserve space. If you have cats,
birds or other pets, be sure to prepare for safe transport by having a crate for
each pet and
cage covers handy to reduce stress. Lodging may be scarce but you know
your area so try a small Inn or Bed and Breakfast away from a busy internet
exit.
Microchip Identification
If your pet gets loose and
panics, that choke-safe collar or harness has your contact information. If it
has been removed or lost, a thoughtful rescue, shelter, or vet tech might note that he is obviously not a “stray” and reach for the scanner
to check for a microchip.
“Medicine Bag” Preparation
Native Americans carried a tanned-hide
medicine bag containing their most important possessions but you can settle for having
your backup cash, credit cards, mementos and medications
in a waterproof, lightweight satchel,
preferable one that you wear or that otherwise leaves your hands free.
Separate medication for each person or pet
goes into small
ziplock plastic bags. It would be wise to stash
at least two weeks of medicine. Label each bag with waterproof indelible markers.
The same for YOU!
NOTE: Set a quarterly reminder to rotate all medicine bags content to maintain freshness.
Emergency Food and Water
You should have
two bags, one for dry food and a lightweight “soft side” frozen food pack. People and pet food “survival packs” go together in the dry food pack. Any refrigerated medicines and other perishables go in the cold pack. Your pet may be accustomed to raw meat or canned food but one spoils and the other is heavy if you are forced to hike it.
Dry food is low weight survival, for you and your pets.
If you have a medium or large size breed, accustom the dog to a
pack harness now. He’s going to require more food and water than a cat or toy breed but fortunately, with just a little foresight, he can carry his own! Water packs are obviously essential but they are heavy. It might be wise to
include small packets that sterilize unsafe water. Take nothing for granted. Your emergency evacuation plan should include the unthinkable, just in case.
Other Emergency Evacuation Items:
You probably have photos of your
children, elderly family members, and pets. Put them in the waterproof
survival pack. Photos are of critical I.D. value if you become separated.
Photos can make reuniting possible because people can be injured or become disoriented in an
emergency situation - just like your pets!
Self defense could become necessary no matter what kind of emergency forces you from the safety of your home. If you are against firearms, at the very least, have a stun gun and a good supply of
pepper spray.
If a disaster lasts more than a few days,
predators will be on the prowl and most of them will be human. Each family member should carry some form of
personal protection. Good people do bad things and in extreme situations, even a Five-Star hotel may not be able to provide adequate safety for you and your family.
We hope this information will never be needed but
that it will motivate you to be prepared before disaster strikes. We have
seen
record weather disasters and unprecedented mob violence in major
cities so don't leave your computer without
making a
disaster plan checklist!
Thumbs up to Gold Man for Reference & Related Article Information.
Hurricane Harvey In Houston
Katrina Hurricane Disaster
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