Emergency travel kit

twstychik

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So, we had some rather severe weather on Tuesday and there was a chance that we needed to leave our apartment for safer ground. Since our apartment complex doesn't have any basement area and we were having tornado watches/warnings we might have needed to head to my parents. They're only a few minutes away... but there's NO WAY I'd ever think about leaving the cats behind. It was then that it occurred to me that I didn't have anything to take for them. Thats when I decided to put together and emergency kit to keep in my trunk. So, do you all do this? Do you have a plan for emergencies? What is it?

I'm going to keep in my trunk a litter box, a bag of clay litter (good for snow too), some dry food, a few cans of wet food and a jug of water. Inside I always have their soft-sided carriers and would grab their favorite softees (stuffed toys) on my way out.

I'm wondering how long it's safe to keep the water and food in the car before it need to be replaced? Or if anyone has any other ideas for this?
 
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twstychik

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No other ideas about this?

Well, I was thinking a little more about this with severl people reporting bad weather and I've got a few other ideas. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to get my kitties used to harneses so that handeling them in emergency situations might be easier. Then I could add ID tags to them. I'd include the cat's name and my vet's contact info (so anyone who might find them doesn't have my personal info) and that way if by chance they got away while being moved or something they's still be findable. Perhaps a break away collar would be a better idea. I'll definatley be getting them ID tags when we move just in case. Also, Instead of keeping these items (extra litter, box, food etc.) in my car I think in the closet by the door is better in case my car isn't the one we leave in.

I remember as a kid we did fire/tornado drills at home so that we knew what to do when the time came. I wonder if a list would be helpfull so I dont' forget anything in a state of panic. I woldn't subject the cats to it though as they both stress out when they are stuck in their carriers.

So, I know there have to be other members here who have some kind of emergency plan for their pets. Please, share so that we can all be more aware.
 

adymarie

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I think an emergancy kit is a great idea. If you buy bottled water there should be an expiry date on it, that will let you know how long you have for a timeframe. The same goes for cat food, there is an expiry date. My concern with the cat food is leaving it in a warm car for an extended period of time. Would the food go bad in the heat? I think your idea to have it in the closet by the door is a definately better idea.

In regard to your idea of getting them used to a harness, that may not be the best idea in extreme weather. I feel that the weather would be frightening to them and they may try to escape in a harness. If you have them in their carrier, hopefully they would feel more safe and secure.

In an emergancy situation there is always a chance you may forget something. I suggest having a checklist posted in the same closet as your supplies. That way, when you leave, you can check to make sure you have everything on your list.

Another suggest is to make a phone list with your vet's info on it, the number of an emergancy vet in your local area, and emergency vet numbers in the surrounding areas in case you need to take your furbabies to the vet (God forbid they are hurt during the evacuation). You don't know how far from home you'll have to go and you won't want to have to search for a vet if one is needed.

The only other thing I can think of is some basic 1st aid, soft bandages for them and some clean towels. I am lucky that I don't live in an area of natural disasters, but an emergancy kit is a great idea.
 

adymarie

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Originally Posted by twstychik

Great ideas... thanks Adreinne!
Your welcome. I'm lucky I don't have to worry about stuff like that in Toronto. But it is still a good idea to have the basics set up in case of fire. We have a spare box and litter, etc in the garage, but really if there is a fire, I don't think we will pause to get the stuff - we can always buy it or borrow short term from friends/family who are cat owners.
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by twstychik

No other ideas about this?
I think you probably caught people off guard. And possibly like me, are too embarrassed to even respond. There are lots of things like this that people think of for theirselves but tend to forget their kitties. I am one. But for your situation I think you deserve this:
 
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