Being disaster prepared is something we often don’t think about enough, particularly when it comes to our pets. You might have a disaster plan for your family, but do you have one for your dog?
You’re in the right place, as we will help you create a disaster plan. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of things like
- Why do you need a pet disaster plan, and what is it?
- How to create a dog disaster plan
- What should go in your emergency kit for your dog, AKA the doggy go bag!
Why do I need a disaster plan for my dog?
You never know when there may be an emergency, so being prepared and organized with everything together will simplify life and give you a checklist to go through to ensure your dog is safe and happy.
What is a disaster plan for a dog?
A disaster plan for a dog is a comprehensive plan created to ensure their safety and well-being in the event of an emergency or disaster. Having a dog evacuation checklist means one less thing to think about should the worst happen due to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or other natural disasters.
How to create an emergency evacuation dog disaster plan
This plan will vary depending on where you are in the country and what expected or unexpected things are likely to happen, but in a nutshell, you will want to:
- Assess and identify potential disasters that could happen in your area – for some pet parents, this might be wildfires in California or Texas, whereas if you live in Florida, you’ll need to think more about hurricanes. Cities are more at risk of terrorist attacks. We know it’s horrible to think about, but it will help prepare for a potential disaster!
- Think about what training your dog might need to cope ok. Are they crate-trained? Do they travel well in the car? How’s their recall? These are all easily worked on with positive reinforcement training; go along to training classes and get your dog disaster trained and ready.
- Prepare your dog’s go bag – see below for what we think you should have in an emergency kit for your dog.
- Plan for the evacuation – this should include dog-safe transport, a list of dog-friendly accommodations, and all your emergency contact details like your Vet and next of kin should they be required to look after your dog. Many states have pet-friendly evacuation shelters, so check where your local ones are.
- Run through the drill – do a dry run and see if everything works out well, adjust where needed, and buy those extra dog toys!
What is a dog ‘go bag’, and what should I put in there?
A pet disaster emergency kit, or pet evacuation kit, is also known as your dog’s ‘go bag’, something you can just ‘grab and go’. It should contain enough supplies to keep everyone safe and happy for 72 hours. We recommend you include the following:
- A canine first aid kit – an essential component of your dog disaster kit, include things like scissors, gauze, bandages, tweezers, a tick remover, dog-safe antiseptic creams, and an emergency foil blanket.
- Medications – heartworm tick and flea treatment, as well as any medications your dog may take regularly.
- Food and water plus travel bowls – dried or dehydrated style dog food is a winner here as it has a long expiration date.
- A spare collar and leash – make sure there is an up-to-date ID tag too.
- A blanket and toys – these help your dog feel safe and comfortable wherever you end up.
- Your dog’s documentation – include microchip details, vaccination records, vet details, and any other emergency numbers.
A disaster plan for your dog is essential to ensure their safety and well-being in an emergency. Being prepared ahead of time can alleviate the stress and worry that often accompanies crises. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can learn how to assess potential risks, create a comprehensive disaster plan, gather necessary supplies, and practice emergency drills.
It’s important to periodically review and update your plan and supplies to ensure that you are always prepared. With a well-thought-out disaster plan in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are ready to protect and care for your pup, no matter what may come your way.
