No one gets away with it — natural disasters are bigger and more frequent than ever. Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes threaten the homes of millions of people every year. It’s scary enough to face an impending disaster if you only have to think about yourself. But what if you have a cat – or multiple cats? Your decisions about what to do can make a difference in whether they succeed.
Of course, having a cat-specific disaster kit is very important, and I’ll get to that in a moment. But before that, I want to discuss something that you may be neglecting in the decisions you make about what to do when disaster strikes.
Is Your Disaster Plan the Best for Your Cat?
When you hear of an approaching hurricane, tornado, or wildfire you generally have three choices: flee, seek shelter, or tough it out at home. Which path you choose depends a lot on your own circumstances. But often you are not limited to just one. In that case, the decision you must consider is: what is best for your cat?
You are human, and you have more freedom to move and seek help than your cat. You understand what’s going on. If you pay attention to news and weather reports, you have a deadline in which to act. Your cat doesn’t have it. Your cat is completely dependent on you for food and care. Maybe they were scared because of all the noise and panic in the air.
What you can do want what to do about dealing with this disaster may not be the best path to take for your cat. Please make your decision with your cat in mind.
Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Disaster Plan
If my home is completely destroyed or underwater, what will my cat and I do? If my home is threatened by an impending disaster, will I be able to save myself and my cat or cats? Do I have a plan for it in case the worst happens?
Do I know which emergency shelters accept pets, and specifically cats? What do I know about them? How do I make my cat comfortable if I have to stay with one for more than a day or two?
Do I know where cat friendly hotels or friends are if I decide to flee the area? You shouldn’t wait until a storm is almost above you before you figure it out. Plan ahead to know safe havens for all surrounding areas, because until disaster strikes, you won’t know which direction to run to.
Remember, your cats are counting on you to help them in their time of need. If they are house cats that live indoors most of the time, they cannot take care of themselves outside.
Another Consideration Most People Neglect
It is easy to panic under extreme and devastating circumstances. Staying calm under dire circumstances may be the hardest thing to do right now. But the more calm you are during the disaster, the easier it will be to fix things for your cat.
Cats are emotional sponges, and they sense when something bad is going on. The more tense and upset you are, the more likely they will be fearful, acting out, and difficult to handle.
Remember, you and your cat are in this together. They are not just another problem to deal with. Once you are back in a safe place, they are there to help you feel better. Now is your time to be calm, be strong, and do your best for them.
The Practical Preparation
I saved this for last because there are so many resources available to help you put together a disaster preparedness kit. But here’s a refresher.
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Items Your Kit Needs
- At least a week’s worth of non-perishable food and water for each cat, in a sealed container.
- Your cat’s medications, at least a 2-week supply.
- The flea and tick medicine will last for a month.
- Enough cat litter to last at least a few weeks, and (if displaced or potentially displaced), disposable litter boxes.
- Food and water resistant dishes. They should also be non-spill
- Kennels for transportation (you should have something bigger and sturdier than your normal carriers, in case they need to stay in them for a long time).
- Towels, blankets, and your cat’s favorite bed. Things that smell like these will offer more comfort.
- Any toys or trinkets they like.
- Cleaning supplies (accidents happen!).
- Additional ID tags for each cat
- Harness and leash. This is why I recommend getting your cat used to a harness and leash, even if you don’t intend to take them on outdoor adventures. If they are used to a harness, they are less likely to struggle with it in a crisis.
- A pet first aid kit. Here’s a quick link to Amazon. You should also know how to use the items. Our friend and pet safety expert Arden Moore has online pet first aid classes and we highly recommend them!
Papers You’ll Bring
These can be on your phone, actual paper, or if possible, both. Anything on paper should be contained in a watertight container.
- Your contact information, for your home and phone, and for your destination, if traveling to a secure location.
- Your cat’s veterinary records, especially their vaccination records.
- Registration records from the rescue, shelter or breeder you got your cat from, to prove ownership.
- Contact information for a guardian who has agreed to take your cat if something happens.
- Contact information for your regular vet, and emergency clinics. If you are traveling, have emergency vet information for your destination.
- Pictures of your cat, both physical photos and on your phone.
- Description of your cat — male, female, neutered, coat color, weight, etc.
Some Other Things You Should Prepare
- Make sure your cat is microchipped, and you are up to date on their records.
- Stickers to put on your window, letting rescuers know you have one or more cats.
I know it’s a lot, but if you’re prepared and organized, you’ll be glad you have it all!
Here’s hoping you never have to deal with leaving your home due to a disaster! If you are in that situation, and you have more advice to give, please do! This is an important topic that has a lot to address.
