by Tammy L Mahan

Created on: December 27, 2008   Last Updated: May 23, 2010

Natural and man made disasters can strike at any time and most with little or no warning with the exception of a hurricane. However, even the best technology cannot predict the furry of Mother Nature on a path of total destruction as most of us in the United States sadly found out on August 29, 2005 when hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, leaving thousands of residents and their four legged family members unprepared.

There is not one single place in the entire world that is immune to a natural disaster whether it is a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami, cyclone, firestorms, blizzards, mudslides or even a terrorist attack.

Statistics prove that less than 1 in 10,000 people are not even mentally prepared for a natural disaster of any type or magnitude including those that live in areas that are more prone to natural disasters. Particularly those that live in earthquake country, the one natural disaster that strikes with NO warning.

If we humans are not prepared to survive the unthinkable and naively go through life thinking that will never happen to me how our pets are suppose to survive?

If you are not prepared for natural disasters it's time you get prepared and including your pets is as simple as including any member of your family. Each member will need a three-day supply of water so will your pet. Each member of the family will need food again so will your pets. A first aid kit will be included in your emergency bag be sure to include one for your pet. A pet carrier is necessary have for small dogs, cats and other small animals you would not normally put on a leash.

Ideally, if you have a medium to large size dog you will want to have a carrier as well when a dog becomes frightened their survival mechanism of fight or flight will also kick in and if your dog is on a leash he/she may bolt and take off running putting them in even more danger.

If your pet takes medication on a daily basis for a chronic disease or condition, you will want to have extra medicine set aside in your pet’s emergency bag. Animals like humans who have to take medication for a health problem cannot go without the medicine without adverse effects just because they are an animal.

If possible, you should have two pet carriers one that is kept in the house with the rest of the family’s emergency bags and one in the garage or trunk of your car. It's always best to have two emergency bags for your family and your pets. One bag in your home and one in your car is ideal.

If a disaster strikes suddenly in the case of an earthquake, you may have just enough time to get yourselves and your pets out of the house. In the event you cannot return to your home right away, you have everything you need in your car.

Natural disasters are terrifying enough to live through being unprepared is devastating and can cost your beloved pet its life. Most of us love our pets and see them as a family member. We buy them gifts for the holidays and even share our beds with them so not including them in our disaster preparedness plan is unacceptable. Be prepared not sorry!

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