Getting Prepared for your Pets
Consider having two emergency kits - one for at home and a ‘go kit’ to take if you have to leave quickly. Make sure that everyone in your house knows where the kits are. You might even let a neighbour know, just in case you are not able to get home.
Remember to check your pet kit regularly for anything that needs adding or changing. Keep an eye on expiry dates, especially for any medication. Change the water every six months to keep it fresh.
Get prepared for your pet - Your Checklist
Emergency Survival Items
| Food | At least 5 days of non-perishable food (canned or dried) in an airtight and or waterproof container. Try to keep it the same as what you would normally feed to avoid upset stomachs. * Remember to put in a can opener! |
| Water | Store a minimum of 5 days water in addition to what you have for your family. Animals will drink more when stressed. |
| Medicines | Store any extra medical supplies and special dietary needs or supplements in a waterproof container. |
| Vet/ Medical records | Store copies of your pet’s medical and vaccination records, along with your vet’s name and number in case your pet needs to be boarded or fostered. |
| First Aid Kit | Have extra cotton bandages, tape, scissors, tweezers and latex gloves over and above what your family needs. Talk with your vet about specific things like saline or antibiotic ointment. |
| Blankets/Bedding | Have familiar items like a favourite blanket or toy included as this will help to reduce stress your pet will be feeling. |
| Sanitation | Add pet litter and box, newspaper, poo bags, gloves, and household bleach. |
Identification
| ID Tag | Add an ID tag to your dog’s collar with their name, your name and phone number. Add your address if there is room. |
| Registration and Microchip | Make sure your pets are microchipped and your details are up to date on the database,.Include a family member or friend outside of your household. Register your dog and ensure that they are wearing their tag on their collar. Include copies of these documents in your emergency survival kit. |
| Photograph | Keep current photographs of your pets -especially of any distinctive markings - in a waterproof container. Include information about distinctive features, colour, age, and breed. Consider adding a photo of you and your pet together to help prove ownership. |
| Keep a copy online | Upload a copy of all documentation to an online storage facility such as Google Drive or OneDrive or your mobile phone or email. Doing this will mean you can access your records from anywhere. |
Equipment
| Cage/Carrier | Have a sturdy and safe cage or carrier made from metal or plastic for the safe transportation of your pet. The cardboard will disintegrate if it gets wet. The cage should be large enough for them to stand and comfortably move or lie down in. It must have adequate ventilation. Include a favourite toy or blanket as your pet may have to be in the carrier for some time and this will help with their stress. |
| Lead/ Harness/ Muzzle | In the event that your dog may try to escape or need to be restrained in an emergency situation. They may even require a muzzle - even the friendliest dog can become hard to manage when stressed, and emergency services may refuse to handle them. Make sure that the equipment is sturdy and has ID tags. |
To download a copy of the Getting Prepared for your Pets brochure, click here.
Have a practice run
Practice getting your family and pets to the designated safe place in your house - ideally where the Emergency Survival Kit is. See how quickly you can evacuate. Have a practice run regularly to see if you can improve your time. Also, try this at night as an emergency event may happen at night and there maybe a power cut.
Other Useful Resources
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jo Reid
Grey District Emergency Management Officer
joanne.reid@wcrc.govt.nz
021 348 215
