Preparing for Disaster

Disaster Kit

Upon Warning of A Disaster

During Disaster/Evacuation

Returning after DIsaster

Supplements:

Reptiles

Birds

Other

OERS
Canadian Marine Mammal Rescue Network
 

 
Checklist - Companion Animals


A checklist for companion animals can be found below. For more detail on selected items, please click on the corresponding number in each section. A complete checklist and details are also available for download as a PDF document.

- Complete Checklist & Details -


Preparing for a Disaster - Canada
Plan ahead for a disaster so that there is no panic at the time you must be efficient.  Remember that at this time, most human emergency shelters will not accept pets, excluding registered service animals.

To Buy:

1. Solid Sided Pet Carrier – For Transport

2. Collapsible Wire pet Crate – For Living

To Do:

1. Emergency Plan

2. Appoint a “responsible person” (not living in house)

3. Get pet accustomed to carrier

4. Get pet accustomed to car trips

5. Keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date

6. Pet ID

7. Disaster Kit
Disaster Kit
This should be assembled long before a disaster in a durable, waterproof, easy to move container. They should be stored in an easy to access location away from extreme temperatures.

1. Food and water for at least 2 weeks

2. Food and water bowls

3. Manual can opener

4. Plastic lid

5. Spoon

6. Medications for at least 2 weeks

7. Animal 1st aid kit and 1st aid book

8. Collar

9. Leash

10. Harness (if necessary)

11. Muzzles (if necessary)

12. Cat litter

13. Litter box

14. Current Pet information in a sealable waterproof bag:

a. Name, breed, sex of animal

b. Your name, address, phone #

c. Copy of Pet Licence

d. Microchip number (if applicable)

e. Copy vaccination records

f. Copy of rabies certificate

g. Records of medical conditions

h. Allergies

i. Feeding schedules

j. Administration procedures of drugs

k. Specific behavioural problems

l. Name, address, phone # of veterinarian

m. Current photos

15. Bedding (Towels, Blankets)

16. Toys, chew toys, treats

17. Cleaning supplies

18. Emergency contact lists (hotels/motels, family/friends, boarding facilities, animal shelters, emergency vets, shelters for lost animals)

For You:

19. Map of local area including evacuation routes

20. Batteries / Solar Powered Energy Supply

21. Flashlight

22. Radio

23. Cell phone and charger
Upon Warning of a Disaster
At the first warning of disaster, begin evacuation procedures to ensure that you and your pets get out safely and that there are spaces available in your prearranged evacuation locations. If you wait until the last moment, human emergency rescue workers in Canada may not allow your pets to come with you.

1. Bring all animals indoors

2. Check collars and IDs to ensure they are securely fastened

3. Attach temporary ID

4. Check completeness of Disaster kit

5. Call evacuation location

6. Place larger animal carriers in vehicle

7. Place smaller animals in carriers

8. Attach leashes to larger animals when taking them outside

9. Load into vehicle*:

a. Disaster kit

b. Smaller animals already in carriers

c. Larger animals into carriers

* Ensure that your vehicle is temperature regulated
During a Disaster/Evacuation
It is very important to take your animals with you when evacuating an area. A disaster that is hazardous to us is also hazardous to our pets. Leaving a pet behind in a disaster to fend for themselves may result in your pet becoming injured, lost or worse. Even if you believe you will only be away for a short period of time, take your animals with you as that short period of time can easily be extended.

If you are evacuating the area:

1. Keep animals leashed or in carrier at all times

2. Never leave your animal unattended

3. Follow car travel tips

If you are staying in the disaster location:

1. Find a safe area for you and your pets

2. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers

3. Bring Disaster kit with you to the safe area

4. Listen to the radio for information

If you are not home:

1. Contact your “responsible person”

2. Meet at predetermined location and retrieve your pets
After returning from an Evacuation

1. Keep pets in carriers or on leashes

2. Survey your home and surrounding area

3. Release your pet indoors *keep an eye on their behaviour and well-being*

4. Keep your pet fenced in or leashed when outside

If you lose your animal:

1. Immediately report pet to animal shelters

2. Return to neighbourhood when area is safe

3. Contact animal shelters and/or emergency hotlines

4. Post lost animal flyers

5. Contact service workers in your area

If you find a lost animal:

1. Do not allow the animal near your pets

2. Contact animal shelter and/or emergency hotlines

3. Attempt to contain the animal without risk to yourself or others

Supplement for Reptiles

1. Transport in small carriers or cloth sacks

2. Mark with permanent marker

3. Supplements to Disaster Kit

a. Arrange for transporting your reptiles food (live food, fresh food, pellet diet)

b. Dietary Supplements

c. Water Bowl

d. Heat source

e. Spray bottle

f. Towel or blanket

4. Isolate carrier

Supplement for Birds

1. Keep Bird in small carrier

2. Can use leg bands for ID

3. Supplements to Disaster Kit

a. Fresh food and water

b. Dietary Supplements

c. Perch

d. Heat source

e. Spray bottle

f. Newspaper

g. Towel or blanket

4. Give fresh fruits and vegetables during transport

5. Isolate carrier

6. Keep bird confined in unfamiliar surroundings

Supplement for other small animals (ie: hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.)

1. Keep animal in small carrier

2. Supplements to Disaster Kit

a. Dietary Supplements

b. Bedding

c. Exercise Equipment

d. Towel or blanket

3. Isolate carrier
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