Disaster planning for pets

[PamNY]

The NY Times had a short piece on this important topic. Links to sources of information/advice are included.

[bmccasland]

The brochure off the Ready.gov web site had good specific information. I've had to evacuate a couple of times, and the furry beasts always go with me.

Paperwork to take with you - insurance policies (home/auto/life), your home sale / mortgage, any other important financial papers. Take your pet records - most vets hand out little booklets for shot records and other procedures, keep it up-to-date. I keep all this stuff in a separate expandi-folder thing, as hurricane season comes every year and I have to prepare for evacuation annually. Having it together means I don't have to look for it when I do actually have to pack an flee.

Take your home computer hard drive - if you know you're going to have to flee and you won't be going home for a long time.

Another thing to do, which will really help when or if you have to file a total loss insurance claim is to take pictures of the inside of your house and garage/shed. Just stand in the center of each room, or in the doorway and take photos of each wall. When you have to file a total loss claim, it'll help you inventory what all you've lost. If you happen to have a lot of books, even take a picture of each book case, take pictures of the insides of your china cupboards and other kitchen cabinets (pots & pans). If they are digital photos, make certain you keep an electronic file somewhere else - on-line storage vault, on a disc at your office, somewhere that you'll be able to access later.

It is no fun evacuating, but it is better if you're prepared. Hurricane Season starts June 1st. Oh joy. At least there are no storms brewing out in the Atlantic.

[bmccasland]

Take your vet records, food, water, meds, litter boxes, toys, and the furry beasts and RUN!

Know in advance which hotel chains allow pets as a matter of policy. Better yet, have a place to go already set up. But take your pets.

And try to stay calm. Animals and small children will pick up on your anxiety levels.

[Blueberry]

A good resource for finding a place to stay with pets is petswelcome.com. We've used them traveling (but thankfully never for an evacuation).

I think the quote I heard on the hurricane predictions for this year was "it's gonna be a hell of a year." Not good with the giant oil slick, but all the more reason to be prepared.

[PamNY]

Beth, that's a great idea about photographing the whole house. I never thought of that. I've used petswelcome.com with good results.

A few thoughts based on evacuating after 9/11:

Get your pet microchipped; in an unexpected event, like a flash flood or car bomb, you could lose them.
If you don't have a car, plan how you will transport pets.
Keep a stash of cash in case ATMs don't work.

Finally, let's all hope we never need to use any of this planning.

[sundial]

I would also suggest that you make a copy of the vaccination record, medications, a picture of your pet, etc. and send it to a friend who lives in another state. Update the information yearly. Should a major disaster occur in your area, your friend will have have the information you need.