October 17 is the 22nd anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. This is a good time to review your family’s disaster preparedness supplies and plan – don’t forget a plan for your pets as well.

Here is a list adapted from the recommendations of the San Francisco’s Disaster Preparedness Coalition for Animals.

Identification

The single most important thing in disaster planning is making sure your pet is identified properly. A collar with an ID tag is great, but collars can come off (especially with cats) or be taken off. A microchip is a permanent form of identification that will last as long as your pet. It is easily scanned by a shelter or veterinarian and your information, your vet’s information, and your emergency contacts can be linked to it. It is up to the pet owner to keep the information current, so remember to update contact information with the microchip registration service regularly.

Train Your Pet

Get your pet used to being in a crate or carrier. In an evacuation or shelter situation, your pet may need to be contained. Many dogs are already crate-trained, but most cats dread going into their carriers. Try feeding the pet in the crate or putting their favorite toy or treat in the crate. With cats, try putting catnip in the crate. If you leave the crate out in the home and treat it like a regular piece of furniture, your pet will get used to it. Make sure that your pet is used to being handled. In an emergency, everyone is nervous and on edge – your pet is no exception. Getting your pet used to being handled makes it easier to put him or her in a carrier and for transportion if needed.

Prepare a Disaster Kit

Prepare a disaster kit for your pet to store with your own. You should include these items at a minimum:

• Harness or leash and collar
• Your pet’s regular food (at least a 7-day supply for each animal)
• Bottled water for 7 days for each animal
• Non-spill bowls
• Litter boxes and litter for cats
• Fresh bedding for small animals
• Waterless shampoo or pet wipes
• A pet brush or comb
• Plastic bags for picking up
• A manual can opener and plastic lid for canned food
• Any medications that are routinely used
• A copy of your pet’s vaccine history and any special medical records for chronic conditions
• Recent photos of your pet (especially with you in the picture)
• Phone numbers and locations of your vet, the local emergency clinic, and S.F. Animal Care and Control
• Phone numbers for your emergency contacts, relatives and friends
• Any long-term caging you might need (baby gates, ex-pens, portable fencing)
• A pet first aid kit
• If you have room, include chew toys, special treats, blankets, bedding, and other items that your pet loves. If your pet can play or stay with something familiar, she or he could feel more relaxed during an emergency.

Evacuation

The first rule of evacuation is to take your pet with you! Let disaster workers know that you have animals with you and what species they are. Never leave a caged pet alone in an evacuated home; the pet has a better chance of surviving if they are free to move around your home. If you are being moved to a human shelter that has an auxiliary animal shelter in place, you can request that your pet be housed at that adjacent shelter. Otherwise, all evacuated animals in San Francisco will be housed at S.F. Animal Care and Control. All evacuated exotic animals and small mammals, as well as aggressive dogs and cats, will be housed at SFACC no matter where the owner is sheltered. Of course, the best place for your pet is with a relative or friend who lives in an unaffected area. This is much less stressful for both you and your pet. Make arrangements now for this possibility.