Prepare Emergency Kits for Pets and People

Scouts aren’t the only people who need to be prepared

We can’t predict emergencies, but we can prepare for them. Many people have to prepare for others, including their pets.

At SERVPRO® of Northeast Ontario/Kaiser, we hope disaster never hits so hard that we have to evacuate. We live here too.

Those of us who have pets know that we aren’t leaving without them. We’ve researched some idea about evacuating with small animals (such as, birds, ferrets, cats, dogs).

Emergency Kits

Have an emergency kit ready in case of disaster. You can use the supplies you use most days or keep extras just in case. It’s important only that you can get to everything you need in time to evacuate.

Make sure information on tags (or collars) is current. Since collars get lost, and many small animals can’t or won’t wear them, the safest thing for any pet is to have it microchipped. The chip will include the owner’s contact information, the vet’s name and number, and any medical conditions.

What your pet will need:

• Carriers and crates for each pet
• Litter for cats, ferrets, rodents…
• Litter box and scooper
• Bags for bird waste
• Bags for dog waste
• At least a 3-day supply of any medications
• Vet’s information
• Blanket or bed
• Familiar toys
• List of medical conditions and medications
• Harness or collar and leash
• Food
• Treats
• Water
• Cleaning wipes
• List of pet-friendly places to stay
• Contact information for friends who may be able to take care of pets
• Photos of your pet(s) in case you get separated

If the pets had thumbs, they’d do the same for us

That isn’t an idle boast. We found news items to back up that statement.

Lulu was a rescue Vietnamese pig who took actions when her human, Joann, had a heart attack. Lulu ran out of the house and lay down in the middle of the road to get someone to stop. When no one did, Lulu got up and trotted home, trying to get someone to follow. Fortunately, one person was smart enough to follow Lulu. The person called emergency services, and Joann and the helpful human lived to tell the world about Lulu.

Pit bull terriers have a bad reputation, but most of them are sweet. Even the sweetest of dogs can show fierceness when it comes to protecting their human families. Lefty, a pit bull terrier mix, literally took a bullet when he jumped in front of his person while another person fired a gun. Lefty had to have a leg amputated, but his human suffered no injuries.

Oreo, a rescue cat, lived in his family’s garage until he meowed loudly enough to wake them up early one morning, alerting to them a house fire. Oreo’s actions saved his family and earned him a better spot in the house.

SERVPRO of Northeast Ontario/Kaiser

We are available 24/7 for emergencies. Call us at 909-390-0238.