YOUR DOG'S SAFETY - WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR PET IN AN EMERGENCY?

If your family faced an emergency, are you prepared? Have you made an evacuation plan in case of tornado, fire, hurricane, or any other natural disaster. What if there was an emergency evacuation of your area because of a chemical spill, are you ready? Most people in this day and time have thought of these things and prepared accordingly. But have you thought about what would happen to your four legged family member? Being prepared for your dog's safety is just as important.

How do you prepare to evacuate with a dog? Basically the same way you would for yourself. Think about what your dog needs every day. What about what he uses on a weekly basis. Does your dog take any type of medication? This is a list of a few things to thing about:

1. Food: You will need to pack at least a week's worth of food (2 weeks would be even better). Don't forget to pack some bowls as well. If you use canned food (or even if you don't, you may have to use in an emergency) remember to pack a can opener. Also any type of doggy treats that you use for your dog. This will help your dog feel a little more settled.

2. Medication: You will need to pack any prescription medication, if it needs to be refrigerated don't forget to have an insulated bag to put ice in to keep it cold. Also think about any thing else your dog takes such as: heart worm medication, flea and tick controls, and ear medication. You will want to make sure to keep your pet healthy in an emergency situation.

3. Restraints: You will need to make sure you have a walking leash and a short leash (in case you are stranded in a crowd). If it is a possibility that you will be driving during an evacuation you will also need a harness to attach to the seat belt. Even if you don't use one regularly, you may want to have a muzzle handy as well. You may have the most well behaved dog on the planet, but when everyone is running around, or in a crowd, you dog can very well misbehave from the excitement.

4. Bedding: Make sure you have a dog bed, blankets, and possibly a crate as a secure place to sleep. You will want your furry companion to be as comfortable as possible.

5. Familiar item: Just as you would when preparing for children, make sure you have some familiar toys for your pooch to play with. Not only will it possibly keep him occupied but may make him feel more secure away from home. A good tip is when you buy your dog a toy, buy an extra one for your emergency kit. Also in case you have to leave your dog in a shelter, an article of your clothing that you have worn may help your dog feel less insecure.

6. Important papers: Current shot records as well as registration papers should be sealed in a waterproof plastic bag. You may also want to include a recent photograph, in case you get separated from your dog.

7. Hotel listings: You may want to include in your kit a listing of dog friendly hotels with phone numbers. You may want to break this down into a 10 miles away, 20 miles away, 50 miles away, 100 miles away, etc. type list. In an emergency situation, you don't want to be wondering which one to choose.

8. Basic care items: Don't forget that your dog will need basic care just like yourself. Make sure to pack shampoo and brushes.

9. First aid kit: When packing your first aid kit don't forget about your dog. Pack anything you may need to care for your dog if he is injured. Also you may want to talk to your vet about anything extra you will need to take care of your pet, such as what to use if your dog has an allergic reaction to something.

With some planning and forethought you can prepare for an emergency evacuation with your pet in mind. Your dog's safety will depend on you, so plan well.