If you live in a high-risk flood zone and have ever been caught up in a flood, you will know the importance of flood preparedness in case you have to evacuate with your family at a moment’s notice. Precious minutes that are wasted scrambling to gather together supplies can mean the difference between life and death. But what should you do about your cats? Steps should be taken to ensure your cats are also ready to leave when the flood warning comes so that they are not left behind.
Pack Sanitation Supplies
Your cats’ emergency supply kit should contain sanitation supplies such as litter, litter tray(s), newspaper, disinfectant wipes, plastic shopping bags for waste disposal and chlorine bleach. These items can help you care for your cats’ sanitation needs when you have to evacuate.
Include a Kennel
A cat kennel or other kind of pet carrier will help make evacuation much easier when you are taking your cats with you. If you do not already have a kennel, shop for a sturdy kennel that is large enough to allow your cats enough room to move around, stand, and turn around. There should also be enough ventilation in the kennel.
Identification Supplies
During a flood situation, you cannot guarantee the outcome. If your cats are evacuating with you, it is important to add identification supplies to your cats’ emergency supply kit. These include a spare leash, identification tags, rabies certificates and other vaccination records. If you have not already done so, it is also a good idea to have your cats microchipped and registered on a pet recovery database so that they can be returned to you if you become separated during an emergency flood evacuation.
Provide Familiar Items for Cats
Cats can easily become distressed during a flood evacuation. As a cat owner, you can help lessen the stress on your furry friends by providing them with familiar items such as their cat blankets, toys, cat treats or an item of your clothing. These familiar items can help soothe cats during an emergency evacuation.
Include Food
Do not forget to include food in your cats’ emergency supply kit that will provide them with enough nourishment for a few days while you are away from home. Pack the cat food in easy to transport containers, rather than in large bags.
Cat owners who live in a high-risk flood area need to think about more than their own safety. They should also consider the needs of their cats by packing a pet emergency supply for them in case they need to evacuate at short notice. Packing the right basic supplies can help keep you cats going and reduce the stress of having to leave behind their familiar surroundings at short notice.