Consider Animals in Hurricane Evacuation Plans

In 2004 on a trip to Columbia Mississippi there were many notices of assistance for people evacuating from hurricanes in Florida - places accepting dogs. When Katrina approached the community was one of hundreds who was in desperate need. It's easy to say put the dogs, cats, family in the car and leave - but this doesn't happen without a plan. And for those who have horses it's compounded. Make plans now - and hope it is not needed. This is also JUST as relevant for any emergency evacuation - people in Kentucky found themselves having to evacuate when a train derailed. There are many reasons for immediate evacuation - and a key is being ready to go NOW.

Each pet should have a travel kit - use a 5X7 envelope sealed in a plastic ziplock bag placed into a toolbox available at many stores for about $30. You're going to stock that tool box! Get one specific for the animals - label it and don't use it for anything else. Get the following items: wound spray, aloe vet cream, needles and syringes, a couple rolls of vetrap, sterile cotton, linament (the gel stuff is wonderful!), electrolites. This is a minimum - if your animals have any medicines they need to take that will go in this toolbox-now-vet-box. In the envelopes place proof of vaccinations, copies of rabies tags, medical history, copies of registration papers if any, several snapshots...label each envelope with the pet's name - you have a virtual "passport" with all information accessible. If horses make sure to have a copy of the current coggins test in here. Place it in the plastic bag and seal - this keeps it clean and dry. With horses especially you might want to have accessible a few doses of tranquilizer - with all of this together you literally have a medical box ready to grab and go. It doesn't take up much room in the vehicle.