During Fire Prevention Week, while a hurricane was affecting parts of the Gulf Coast, I started thinking about something none of us really likes to think about.
What if something happened at your house today and you needed to leave quickly?
How prepared would you be for your dog?
Living in the Midwest, hurricanes aren’t something I personally have to worry about. But emergencies can happen anywhere. A house fire, severe weather, power outage, evacuation… sometimes we don’t get much warning.
And when you have dogs, they’re part of that plan too.
Could you grab what your dog needs quickly?
Would you know exactly where the leash and harness are?
Do you have extra food and medications somewhere you could grab quickly?
What about veterinary information, vaccination records, emergency contacts, or a recent photo of your dog?
These aren’t fun things to think about. Most of us probably assume we’ll figure it out if we ever need to.
But I’d much rather take a few minutes now than be scrambling during an actual emergency.
It is recommended to include pets in your family emergency plan and have essentials such as medications, a backup collar or harness and leash, identification records, and a photo available in case you become separated.
An emergency kit is different from a first-aid kit
A dog first-aid kit is meant to help you respond to an injury or medical situation.
An emergency or evacuation kit is about having what your dog may need if you have to leave home or manage without your normal supplies for a period of time.
Ideally, you’re prepared for both.
I have a more complete list of what I keep in my kits in DIY Dog First Aid Kit, including supplies for emergencies and evacuation.
Put the information somewhere you can actually grab it
Having the supplies is one thing. Knowing where everything is when you’re stressed is another.
That’s why I created my Dog Emergency Planning Pack.
It gives you one place for your dog’s emergency information, important contacts, supply and first-aid checklists, and pet alert signs for your home.
You can fill it out now and keep it somewhere easy to grab if you ever need it.
Hopefully you never do.
But this is one of those things I’d much rather prepare for and never use than wish I had done when I’m already dealing with an emergency.
So sometime this week, take five minutes and ask yourself:
If I had to leave my house with my dog right now, what would I wish I had prepared ahead of time?
Then start there.
The distinction between a first-aid kit and an evacuation kit is the part most people overlook, and it’s worth repeating since they solve different problems. One practical tweak: store copies of vaccination records and a recent photo in a waterproof pouch inside the go-bag, plus a second copy in your car’s glovebox. If your phone dies or gets left behind, you still have proof of ownership and rabies status when a shelter or hotel asks. Refreshing the food and meds every six months also keeps the kit usable.
Excellent tips, thank you for sharing!