What to put in your kit for your animals
Below are lists of what to put in your kit for dogs, cats, horses, birds, and reptiles and amphibians.
List for Dogs:Food and Water
-A one-week supply of the food your dog is accustomed to eating. Store food in an airtight, waterproof container and rotate every three months to ensure freshness. -A one-week supply of water, stored in a cool, dark location. Rotate occassionally to ensure freshness. -Bowls for food and water. Cleaning and Sanitation -Pooper scooper, plastic bags or other means of disposing of your dog's waste. Housing and Transportation -A plastic airline crate or wire collapsible crate is helpful during an evacuation and afterward. -An extra leash, preferably at least six feet long. Identification -Temporary identification tag that you can write your temporary location on in case your dog is separated from you. -Current pictures of your dog in case he or she gets lost and you need to create posters. -Pictures of you with your dog to prove owership if you are separated. Health and Safety -A two-week supply of any medications your dog is taking. -Medical records, including vaccination records. -First aid kit: First aid book for dogs Conforming bandage (3" x 5") Absorbent gauze pads (4" x 4") Absorbent gauze roll (3" x 1 yard) Cotton tipped applicators (1 small box) Antiseptic wipes (1 package) Emollient cream (1 container) Tweezers and scissors Instant cold pack Latex disposable gloves (several pairs) Proper fitting muzzle List for Horses:Food and Water:
-One-week supply of the food or special feed your horse is used to eating. Store in an airtight, waterproof container and rotate every three months to ensure freshness -One-week supply of water, stored in a cool, dark location. 50-gallon barrels are good for storing water -Feeding and water buckets Cleaning and Sanitation: -One-week supply of dry shavings to be spread out in the horse's stall -Pitch fork, wheelbarrow and/or muck bucket Identification: -Permanent identification like microchipping, tattoos or freeze branding -Temporary, easily-visible identification, such as: Using a livestock crayon and write your name, phone number and address on the horse Using clippers to shave your name, address and phone number in the horse's coat Braiding into the horse's mane an ID tag with your name, address and phone number -Temporary identification tag that you can write your temporary location on in case your horse is separated from you -Current pictures of you with your horse to prove owership if you are separated -Copy of the Bill of Sale or other documentation that can prove ownership Health and Safety: -A two-week supply of any long-term medication your horse is taking -Medical records, including vaccination records. -A copy of your horse's current Coggins certificate -First aid kit containing cotton and cotton rolls, disposable surgical gloves, vet wraps, duct tape, telfa pads, Betadine, instant cold packs, easy boot, diapers, Furazone, scissors, Blue Lotion and tweezers. Ask your veterinarian what else to include. Housing and Transportation: -A horse trailer and a truck that can safely pull it, in case you have to evacuate. -Rope to tie out your horse in case you don't have access to a stable. (train your horse to tether before disaster other's animals if one of you is out of town when disaster strikes.strikes) -Halter and lead rope, preferably not made of nylon, which can melt in the event of a fire. -Pre-identified locations where you can evacuate your horses, such as equine centers, boarding stables, racetracks, and fairgrounds. PLEASE NOTE -Becuase horses are so large, significant advanced planning is required to evacuate and shelter them temporarily in case of disaster. If you don't have a trailer or enough trailer space for the number of horses you have, work out ahead of time other arrangements for transporting your horse(s). Identify friends or relatives who could help, or transportation services available for hire. -It takes time to move larger animals. If disaster is imminent, allow plenty of time to get them to safety. Do not wait until the last minute. If you have a horse who is not accustomed to being in a trailer, practice loading and unloading with the horse as part of your regular routine. -Set up a "buddy system" with a fellow horse owner so you can evacuate each List for Reptiles and AmphibiansFood and Water
-A two-week supply of feeders/prey items if fed -A two-week supply of water, stored in a cool, dark location. Rotate every two months to ensure freshness. -A two-week supply of pelleted food if fed, stored in an airtight, waterproof container and rotated every three months for freshness. -Baby food or fruits and vegetables stored in their own juice or in water, with a can opener if needed -Ice chest and cool packs to store frozen prey items -Calcium and/or vitamin supplementation if needed -Dechlorinator for water -Tongs for feeding -Water/food dishes Baby food and canned fruits and vegetables are a great substitute when fresh produce is not available. However, avoid those with added salt or sugar. Many reptiles and amphibians eat live or frozen/thawed prey. Consider the care and nutrition of the prey animals when making your disaster plans Housing and Transportation -Carrier or evacuation cage if your existing enclosure is too large to transport -Small enclosure with a secure lid for when destination is reached -Heat source -Thermometer/hygrometer -Supplemental lighting -Extension cords -Substrate -Hides -A hide box such as a bowl, box or flower pot that can help your herpatile feel more secure. Most reptiles and amphibians can be transported in a small, hard-sided carrier, but snakes are normally more secure and safe in a knotted-off pillowcase. Bring your own extension cords to make use of power outlets, but prepare to provide heat without power. Identification -Microchip (many larger reptiles and amphibians can be microchipped; ask your veterinarian) -Photos of you with pet to prove owership if you are separated -Photos’ showing any distinguishing features of your pet -Copy of veterinary records Health and Safety -A two-week supply of any medication your pet is taking -First aid kit including antibiotic ointment, Betadine solution for cleansing and disinfecting, gauze for cuts and wounds, cornstarch to stop minor bleeding, tweezers and scissors and Q-tips. Ask your vet for other recommendations. -Appetite stimulant -Spray bottle -Paper towels -Bleach -Hot and cold instant packs -Snake hook -Contact numbers for your vet and a vet out of disaster area An appetite stimulant such as Reptaid can come in handy if your reptile or amphibian stops eating due to the stress of the emergency. Spray bottles are handy for misting the enclosure to ensure appropriate humidity. Instant hot and cold packs are great for regulating the temperature of the enclosure during a power outage. |
List for Cats: Food and Water
-A one-week supply of the food your cat eats. Store food in an airtight, waterproof container and rotate every three months to ensure freshness. -If your cat eats canned food, buy cans small enough for one feeding. Include a can opener or buy pop-top cans. -A one-week supply of water, stored in a cool, dark location. Rotate occassionally to ensure freshness. -Bowls for food and water. Collapsible bowls are easy to store and save space. Cleaning and Sanitation -A small litter box, litter scoop, one-week supply of cat litter and plastic bags for disposing of your cat's waste. Housing and Transportation -Harness and leash in case you have to keep your cat confined in a cage for an extended period of time. -A collapsible wire cage to transport your cat. -Toys, if your cat likes them, for entertainment and comfort. -EvacSaks are foldable and easy to store. Identification -Temporary identification tag that you can write your temporary location on in case your cat is separated from you. -Current pictures of your cat in case he or she gets lost and you need to create posters. -Pictures of you with your cat to prove owership if you are separated. Health and Safety -A two-week supply of any medication your cat is taking. -Medical records, including vaccination records. -First aid kit: First aid book for cats Conforming bandage (3"x5") Absorbent gauze pads (4"x4") Absorbent gauze pad (3"x 1 yard) Q-tips (1 box) Antiseptic wipes Emollient cream Tweezers and scissors Instant cold pack Latex disposable gloves (several pairs) List for Birds:Food and Water
-One-month supply of pellets/seed mix -Two-week supply of water -Eight small jars of baby food/fruit in natural juice cups -Supplements Although normally a two-week supply of food is recommended, bird food is not a priority item for stores to restock after a disaster, so it is advisable to have a one-month supply on hand. Baby food is an excellent source of fruits and vegetables for birds when fresh produce is not available. However, read the label to ensure that there is not too much vitamin and mineral supplementation. Housing and Transportation -Hard-sided pet carrier with low perch inside and contact details written in permanent ink -Small cage with perches for safe housing -Crocks for food and water -Newspaper for lining cage -For safety a bird should be transported in a hard-sided carrier, as cages can trap wings and legs if a bird panics during transport. However, once the destination has been reached, it is safer to transfer the bird into a secure, appropriately sized cage. Most birds when settled can chew their way out of a hard sided carrier in less than an hour! -Some collapsible cages come with crocks and a means to attach them. If yours doesn't, heavy ceramic crocks are best as they prevent tipping but are still easy to clean. Identification -Microchip -Leg band -Copy of veterinary records -Pictures of the bird with close ups of any distinguishing marks or features -Pictures of you with your bird Health and Safety -Large towel -Spray bottle -Hot and cool instant packs -Battery- powered fan -Medications -Contact numbers for your vet, and a vet out of disaster area -Trash bags -Towels -A towel is your best friend in a disaster. You can use it for anything from restraining your bird to covering the cage. -Misting birds with water can help cool them down. Instant hot and cool packs can also be wrapped in a towel and placed in the cage to provide relief from temperature extremes. A fan attached to the cage can make a hot day more comfortable. -A month’s supply of any medications should be kept on hand. First Aid Kit -First aid book for birds -4 X 4 gauze pads -Gauze rolls -Antiseptic wipes -Triple antibiotic cream -Q-tips -Scissors -Tweezers -Instant cold/hot pack -Disposable gloves -Two rolls of vet wrap -Popsicle sticks for splints -Pedialyte - clear -Blunt nose scissors -Styptic powder -Cornflower to stop bleeding on wings or soft tissue -Hemostat for pulling broken blood feathers -Cotton swabs -Feeding syringes incase hand feeding is needed List for Fish:-If your aquarium is to large to move, have a smaller container to transport your fish.
-Food for three days – stored in a water proof container. -A small submersible heater and small water pump to keep the water moving. -A net in case you have to remove your fish from the bowl. -Include any chemicals needed and testing equipment. If you need salt water, a supply of sea salt should be included. -Your name and where you will be located should be on an ID tag and taped to the fish bowl. -Photos of you with pet to prove owership if you are separated -All of these can be stored in your portable tank/bowl until needed. List for Rabbits-ThermometerHeating/cold pad
-Peroxide, for shallow wounds, broken nails, abrasions -Betadine (for cleansing bites, cuts, lacerations, broken nails) NOT for punctures wounds or deep cuts -Neosporin -Cotton swabs, sterile cotton balls and gauze bandaging -Blunt tipped scissors -Saline ( for eye injuries) -Toenail trimmers & styptic powder (cornstarch will work in a pinch) -Ground/powdered pellets or Ox Bow Hay Co’s. Critical Care for syringe feeding (good for 3 months, 6 months if frozen) -Veggie baby food (carrots, peas) – make sure it is additive free, no sugar, etc. -Sugar free fruit juice or Gerber’s baby ‘Apple Carrot Juice’ (to encourage bunny to drink) -Hairball remedy (malt flavored) -Flea comb and brush -81mg Baby Aspirin (ask vet dosage for you individual rabbits) -A large towel for wrapping, cuddling, calming a stressed, frightened or injured bunny (or one who is difficult to give medicine to!) -In case of general emergency (vet trip, fire, earthquake, etc.) – for each rabbit (or pair) -Hard plastic carrier, with metal front gate and adequate floor covering (towel, grass mat, etc. (a bunny can chew through a plastic front gate)) -Food and water for 5 days, which you will periodically change for fresh supplies. Water should be changed every 4-6 months, if it is store bought and unopened. Store in cool pace, away from sunlight. Pellets, in a well sealed container or zip lock, may be stored for 3 months, 6 months if frozen. |