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a 3 month old male gray and white kitten,

a 6 week old, male chocolate lab mix,

Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies

Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and chemical disasters are all facts of life here in south Louisiana.  While you're stocking up on batteries and other hurricane supplies, don't forget to include your pet's needs. 

Tag and Collar:  Whether you're riding out the storm in your own home, or evacuating to a safer place, you could become separated from your pet.  A current rabies tag securely fastened to your pet's collar is your best bet to find your pet if it gets away. The special code number on each tag traces your pet back to you.  Make sure that the rabies tag you use has the name of your vet and a registration number on it.  We recently had a dog in the pound that had a rabies tag on, but it didn't have any information on it, and was useless. We also recommend tags with your name and phone number on them. 

Food and Water:  While you're stocking up on canned goods and water, don't forget extra feed and water for your pets or livestock.

Prescriptions:  Stock up on veterinary prescriptions and special needs pet food, too.

Evacuation:  If at all possible, take your pets with you.  Find out well in advance (that means now) about hotels and campgrounds which will accommodate pets. 

Hurricanes:  If you evacuate and take your pets along, bring extra pet food, drinking water, medication and your pet's supplies.  Your pet will be safest traveling in a pet carrier.  Take extra care when loading your pet into and out of the car, especially in strange places or heavy weather.  Put the leash on your dog before you get out of the car and take it off after he's securely indoors again.  Take cats in and out of the car in a pet carrier.  If you don't have one and you're in a rush, punch about 2 dozen nickel sized holes in a sturdy box with a secure, tray type lid (like a copy paper box), and place your cat inside.  Secure the box with duct tape of sturdy twine.  Never place a pet carrier in the trunk of your car. 

If you must leave your pet at home, bring them indoors and secure them in the sturdiest room in your house.  A room or hallway in the center of your home is usually the safest place.  Line the floor with a moisture proof tarp and several layers of newspaper.  It could be many days before you can return, so provide several large bowls of food and water, toys, and your pet's bed.  Don't forget your cat's litterbox. 

Never leave pets outdoors in a hurricane or tornado.  Even the fussiest housekeepers must consider their pet's safety and bring them indoors or take them along if evacuation is necessary.

Under no circumstances should you ever leave a pet chained up, or in an outdoor cage or kennel during a storm.  They will be completely helpless, unable to flee from rising water or flying debris. 

Tornadoes: Tornadoes give little or no warning.  When a tornado warning is announced, release any pets that are chained or kenneled and bring them into the sturdiest part of your home. 

Floods:  Take your pets with you.  If this is impossible, leave pets outdoors and free from chains or tethers so they can swim to safety when the water rises.  Pets left indoors, on chains or in kennels can't escape from rising water.  Be sure your pets are wearing their tag and collar. 

Fires:  Brush and forest fires can threaten your home in a hurry.  Take pets with you when you evacuate.  If this is impossible, leave pets outdoors and free from chains, tethers, cages or kennels, so they can escape oncoming flames.  

Chemical Disasters:  Take your pets with you.  If this is impossible, bring your pets indoors to protect them from exposure to toxins.  Provide food, water and supplies as recommended for hurricane evacuation.  

Cat Transport Tip:  If you don't have a pet carrier and an emergency strikes without warning,  tuck your cat into a sturdy pillowcase, duffle bag or zippered backpack to secure it temporarily.  Make sure it's a fabric bag which allows air to circulate - don't use a vinyl or plastic bag.  One cat per bag - frightened cats may injure one another if placed in the same bag. 

Stocking Up

Use this checklist to make sure you have basic supplies for your pets if an emergency strikes.

All pets:   

In addition to the above, you will need:

For Dogs:

For Cats:

Birds and Reptiles:

Buy a battery operated "live bait well" pump at the sporting goods store.  This will keep your aquarium water oxygenated in case of power failure.  Be sure to get extra batteries.

Livestock:

From the East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Center