Prepare a pet evac kit

Plan ahead:  Make sure you have what you need to evacuate with your pet in case of a rapid-onset disaster, such as suddenly heightened storm or gas leak.  Make sure you have a pet evac kit for every pet.

The pet evac kit should be like a human evacuation kit in that it should be:  easy to access, easy to manage or carry, well-vented, and durable.  A pet evac kit makes it easier to transport your pet out of the disaster area, and care for your animal during / after the disaster.

Things to think about when putting a kit together

1.  Make sure your evac pack is as portable as possible -- small and lightweight.  Consider:
 What is the most likely terrain you will evacuate over?
 Will you have to evacuate across Fanno Creek or across a river, like the Tualatin?
 Will you have to evacuate by rubber raft, canoe, dinghy, or other small craft?
2.  Make sure your pet is used to the evac gear.  Consider:
 Use your travel crate as a sleeping crate for your animal to get the pet used to being in a small space.
 Feed your pet the same food you will use in your evac kit to make sure they will eat it.
Walk your pet on your evac harness and/or leash.  This will help them feel more comfortable during an evac, and can help keep them from panicking by the strangeness of the disaster event.

A typical pet evacuation kit could contain:

·    Pet collar, with tags
·    Pet carrier
·    Leash and harness.  Note that even cat owners should include a harness in their kit.  This allows shelter staff to take a cat out of its carrier for fresh air and daily ablutions without risking a panicked escape due to unfamiliar surroundings and people.  A long-lead leash can also be useful.
·    Bedding, cut to fit the carrier and easy to clean.
·    Food and water dishes -- small enough to fit comfortably inside the pet carrier without crowding your pet.
·    Three days of food.
·    Medications your pet needs.
·    Pet ID wallet.
·    Contact information for   Pet-friendly accmmodations that will accept your pet (call ahead to make sure!)    Government agencies involved in animal control and    Local shelters

Extras and niceties:

·    Grooming tools:  comb, brush.
·    Pooper scooper
·    Favorite toys to help reduce stress on the animal.
·    "Smelly" treats.  Treats can be used to stimulate a pet's appetite even in stressed environments.  Unfortunately, pets are often too stressed to accept a typical treat in a strange circumstance.  Consider packing a few special treats to encourage your pet to eat and reassure them you are still pleased with them and that you haven't abandoned them to this strange, terrifying environment.
·    An old t-shirt or other clothing garment that smells like you.  Putting this in the carrier with your pet can help reduce their stress.