In Case of Emergency, Do You Have a Plan for Your Cat?

by DoItYourself Staff

Cats can be overlooked when making emergency preparedness plans. Ill-prepared owners often have little choice but to leave cats behind in an emergency; however, situations that aren’t safe for humans aren’t safe for cats, either. With a pet emergency plan in place, you can keep your cat with you as part of the family.

Emergency Supplies

Cats need emergency supplies just like the human members of the family in case an emergency strands you in your home for an extended period. Ensure that your emergency stores include a week’s supply of cat food and water, in addition to the water supply for the humans.

Shelters

When disaster strikes, many shelters don’t take cats, so have lists of other facilities like kitty kennels or boarders where you can leave your cat safely. A list of pet-friendly hotels and motels in the area can give you places to shelter with your cat. If you need to evacuate the area, know which friends and relatives would allow both you and your cat to stay.

Evacuation Kit

Emergency evacuation kits are a good idea for both pets and humans, in case you need to get out in a hurry. Keep the cat carriers accessible, ideally a separate one for each cat in a multi-cat house. A cat’s evacuation kit should include: