Evacuation
Kit For Your Cat
BY MOLLIE SHUTT, The House of Meow
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Are you prepared for an emergency evacuation with your cat? Or in my case, with two cats?
Would you be ready at a moment's notice if you had to leave your home because of an approaching hurricane, fire or flood? Even a simple power outage in winter might necessitate you leaving — or freezing.
Each year I resolve to be better prepared to handle a disaster or other emergency circumstance. I finally decided to stop thinking about it and just do it.
I sat down, made a list, and then started putting together a backpack of supplies for my kitties that I could keep handy should I ever have to suddenly evacuate my home due to an emergency.
Supplies you will need for your cats in the event of an emergency evacuation
My Cat's Evacuation Kit
I haven't calculated exactly how long these supplies would last us, but I know that at a minimum it would get my two kitties through 72 hours.
Here are the supplies I included in my Evacuation Kit:
- Carrier With Towel Or Bed Inside: Carriers should be labeled with your name, address, and phone number. If you were to become separated from your cats in their carriers, you would want them to be able to be returned to you.
- Pillowcase: In a worse case scenario, you can tuck a frightened cat into a pillowcase and knot the end to keep the kitty safe from escape.
- Collar or Harness and Leash: I actually have all three. Tiger HATES to be carried, so I felt a harness and leash are important to restraint him, especially if he were frightened.
- Water: In the event of an emergency, water supplies may become contaminated. Both you and your cats will need your own supply of bottled water for drinking.
- Cat Food: I have a gallon bag of their current dry food in a large ziploc plastic bag along with several cans of wet food. Wet food has a high water content and will also tempt their appetites should they be reluctant to eat away from home.
- Food and Water Dish: I choose plastic containers with lids that were already in my cupboard to use as dishes. Using containers with lids reduces possible waste or spillage.
- Small Litterbox With Scoop: I ordered two from Amazon for just a few dollars each.
- Litter: I prefer clumping litter. Package the litter in a large ziploc bag that can be easily opened and closed as needed.
- Doggy Poop Bags: You will need a way of disposing of litter in a sanitary manner. You could also substitute with more ziploc baggies..
- Small First Aid Kit: I will actually include this with the my human supplies to save space in the kitty bag.
- Pictures Of Your Cat(s): Including a picture of yourself with your cat in case your need a proof of ownership.
- Record Of Important Information: Prepare a card with your cat's important information including: cat name, color, age, identifying marks/features, registration number, microchip number, rabies info, veterinarian's name and number.
- Medications: My cats are not currently on any medications, but it is important to talk to your veterinarian about an extra supply where applicable.
- Backpack: Pack all your supplies into a small backpack or suitcase. Store the backpack in a convenient location. Don't out it away in a far corner of the basement inside a box high on a shelf. It needs to be easily accessible in an emergency.
By assembling these simple items, my kitties will be safer and happier in the event of an emergency or evacuation. We will also be able to pick up an leave at a moment's notice. Please resolve today to make a plan and kit for you and your cats!
For more information about preparing for a disaster as a pet owner, go to:
About The Author
Mollie Shutt started her blog, The House of Meow, to chronicle the adventures of her British Shorthair and her adopted shelter cat. Her blog has also become a place for information about being a cat show newbie as well as do it yourself cat projects.
Outside of cats, Mollie is an accomplished bassoonist and avid cyclist. After working full time for many years in online community management and website administration, she opted to take a new job as a full time mom and cat servant. |
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