When you bring pets into your home, they become members of the family. In some cases, they merely bring joy to your life through companionship, but some pets also provide you with more. Some act as eyes for the blind, some can sense a seizure coming on, and some protect your home and family from intruders that might do you harm. Depending on the type of animals you have, you might even end up with food like eggs or milk. In short, your pets become an integral part of your life, and when disaster strikes, you'll want to be prepared to provide for their needs, as well as your own. Here are some essential planning tips to care for your best friends in SHTF situations.
- Chip your pets.
The first order of business is being able to track down your pets. In a disaster scenario, they may escape or you might have to set them loose (as in the case of a fire, for example), and you want to be able to find them afterwards. You can also equip them with identification like a collar with ID tags. This way, if they're found, people won't think they're strays.
- Food and water.
As a pet owner, you take on the responsibility of meeting your pet’s basic life necessities, including providing food and water at the very minimum. So even as you're planning to keep your family fed and hydrated, you need to think about rationing water for your pets, as well. And make sure you have sufficient feed on hand to last as long as may be necessary.
- Grooming supplies.
In terms of necessary items to see to the welfare of your pets, you might not think that grooming supplies belong on your list of priorities. But just consider what can happen if your dog's or cat's nails get too long. They could crack and split, leading to an open wound, infection, or worse if left untreated. Doesn't it seem smarter to have appropriate clippers on hand to simply trim your pet's nails? You should also have supplies for washing, clipping, and otherwise keeping your animals clean and well-maintained.
- Animal first aid kit.
Animals can be hurt just like people, but the care you provide will have to be tailored to their anatomies and their needs. Your kit will include some of the same items you'll find in your own first aid kit, such as bandages, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, styptic powder, a thermometer, and so on. You should also have a thermal blanket, just like the ones recommended for people. You can find a complete list of elements to include on HumaneSociety.org. Don't forget to keep leashes, muzzles, and pet carriers handy in case you need to evacuate with your pet.
- Animal pharmaceuticals.
If your pets take medication, it's best to be well-stocked. But you'll also want to have items for every possible scenario. Having flea and tick control, de-wormers, and even ear cleansing solution on hand is smart. But you might also want useful medications like Benadryl and suitable antibiotics, just in case.
- Basic knowledge of animal medicine.
Just because you're not a veterinarian doesn't mean you can't learn basic medical care procedures for pets. There are booklets designed to talk the layperson through simple animal first aid. And you can always take an introductory course on pet first aid - just ask your local ASPCA for information. If they don't offer such courses, they should have an idea of where to refer you.
- Dedicated septic.
Even in the best of times, it's not a bad idea to have a septic system set up to handle pet waste disposal, considering the effects of sending pet waste to the landfill in non-biodegradable plastic bags. And it's simple enough to accomplish with a ventilated trash can, a hole in the ground (to place the trash can in), and a little bit of septic starter. Just make sure it's a good distance from your home and nowhere near your vegetable garden or a source of drinking water. And keep it securely covered at all times. You can also purchase professional pet septic tanks if you're worried about building and maintaining your own.
- A plan.
Your disaster or evacuation plan should include provisions for your pets so that you know what to do with them should you be forced to evacuate or alternately, stay in your home for an extended period of time. This will ensure that your pets remain happy and healthy - even in a disaster situation.