Prepping with pets means planning for your animals the same way you plan for your family. That's a go-bag for each pet, their records and medications, a carrier or harness they're used to, and practice runs so they stay calm when you have to leave fast.
When something goes wrong, your animals rely on you completely. Yet so many emergency plans leave them out. Whether you're leaving home or staying put, they need a plan too.
Pack a go-bag for each pet
- at least a week of food, more if you can (rotate it, because kibble goes stale)
- water and collapsible bowls
- medications, plus copies of the scripts
- a spare lead, harness and ID tag
- poo bags, or a small litter tray and litter
- a blanket or favourite toy for comfort
Make a pet records binder
Put these in plastic sleeves:
- vaccination records and medical history
- microchip number
- recent photos, including a few of you with your pet to prove ownership
- care notes covering feeding, meds and quirks
If someone else has to mind your pet, they'll need to know who only eats from the blue bowl and who needs their tablet at dinner. Keep digital copies on a USB in your kit and in cloud storage too.
Get them used to their gear
If the cat carrier only comes out for vet trips, your cat will vanish the second she sees it. Leave carriers out with a blanket inside so they become a normal part of the house. Practise putting on harnesses. Then run a mock evacuation with everyone, animals included, and time it.
Think about behaviour too. Does your dog bark at every noise? Does your cat hide for hours when she's stressed? Plan how you'll manage that in a car, an evacuation centre or a friend's spare room.
Protect paws and plan for injuries
Hot roads, ash and broken glass are hard on paws. Dog boots or a roll of vet wrap are worth having in the kit.
A pet first aid course is one of the best things you can do. When you can't get to a vet, knowing how to stop bleeding or bandage a paw matters. You can even learn CPR for pets.
Make sure they can be found
Check your pet's microchip details are up to date with your current phone number. Use ID tags as well. If you can, add a GPS tracker to your dog's collar.
Know where you can go
Find out now which evacuation centres and accommodation near you accept pets, because not all of them do. Line up a friend or family member outside your area who'd take your animals in a pinch.
Pets aren't an extra in your plan. They're family.
What's your best trick for getting a stubborn cat into a carrier? Tell me in the comments.
#FemalePrepper #PetPreparedness #PetGoBag #PrepWithPets
