Public Outreach Coordinator, Kim Finnigan and Team Leader Duane Archer

Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for dogs. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of dogs that you have.
1. FOOD
Always have a reserve supply of the type of food your dog is used to eating that would last at least a week. If your dog eats canned food, buy cans small enough to be used at one feeding since you may not have a way to properly refrigerate any left over food, and buy pop top cans if you can since you may not have access to a can opener (you should include a can opener with your disaster supplies just in case though). Store food in an airtight, water proof container and rotate food at least once every (3) months. Include with your disaster supplies an extra feeding dish, just in case the one normally used is lost. Include with your disaster supplies a spoon to scoop and/or mix food.
2. WATER Have enough drinking water to last at least one week for each dog in your household. Store water in a cool, dark location, and be sure to rotate it so it remains fresh, remember that if the tap water is not suitable for humans to drink, it is also not suitable for animals to drink. Include with your disaster supplies an extra water dish, just in case the one normally used is lost.
3. SANITATION Have a pooper scooper in your disaster supplies for picking up after your dog. Have some plastic bags in your supplies for disposing of your dog's waste, you may want to purchase some disposable pooper scooper bags at a pet supply store.
4. CLEANING SUPPLIES Include with your disaster supplies a small container of soap for washing out your dog's food dish. Include with your disaster supplies some paper towels for drying dishes and other cleanup if you will be housing your dog in a crate, include with your disaster supplies a disinfectant that can be used to clean the crate.
5. COLLAR AND TAG A proper fitting collar and an identification tag should be kept on your dog at all times, and an extra collar and identification tag should be kept with your disaster supplies should the permanent ones get lost during a disaster (do not keep a choke collar on a dog all the time, as your dog may accidentally get it caught on something and choke itself. Have a spare identification tag with your disaster supplies that you can write on, so that if you are going to be living somewhere temporarily you can put the phone number and address of that location on the tag. Keep a proper fitting dog harness and at least a 6 foot long leash with your disaster supplies to be used when you walk your dog - this is a stressful time for dogs too, and a frightened dog can slip out of a collar, but not a harness.
6. TEMPORARILY CONFINING YOUR DOG You may wish to purchase a plastic airline crate or a wire collapsible crate to transport your dog should you have to evacuate and/or to keep the dog in following a disaster - be sure the crate is large enough for your dog to lie down comfortably and allow room for a food and water dish (remember that fences and walls can come down during a disaster, making it easier for a dog to escape and get lost). You may wish to purchase a metal stake that screws into the ground, with a place to fasten a dog chain - be sure if you stake your dog out to provide protection from the hot sun, extreme cold, snow, or rain - a dog house should be placed within reach to protect the dog - it is also important when staking out a dog that you do not leave it somewhere that other aggressive animals might be able to get to it. When staking a dog, be sure to use a chain and not a leash that the dog can chew through - also be sure that the dog is not chained in a place where it could fall off of something and hang itself (for example, an elevated porch).
7. FIRST AID KIT Check with your veterinarian to find out what he/she recommends you include in your first aid kit some suggested items include: ◦ first aid book for dogs ◦ conforming bandage (3" x 5") ◦ absorbent gauze pads (4" x 4") ◦ absorbent gauze roll (3" x 1 yard) ◦ cotton tipped applicators (1 small box) ◦ antiseptic wipes (1 package) ◦ emollient cream (1 container) ◦ tweezers and scissors ◦ instant cold pack ◦ latex disposable gloves (several pairs) ◦ proper fitting muzzle

Disaster Preparedness Shopping List For Cats
Listed below is a handy shopping list for you to use. The next time you buy food or supplies for your cat, take this list with you. Don't put off doing what you should do now - it may just make the difference between being able to keep your cat alive when a disaster strikes. Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for cats. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of cats that you have.
1. FOOD Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Use the brand that your cat is used to eating. Buy pop top cans of food small enough to be used at one feeding since you may not have a way to properly refrigerate a partially used can of food - do not feed food that has been left out. Store dry food in an airtight, water proof container. Rotate food at least once every (3) months. Include in your supplies a feeding dish, a spoon to scoop and mix the food, and a hand crank can opener in case you do not have pop top cans.
2. WATER Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. Rotate water at least once every (2) months.
3. SANITATION Have a small litter box and litter scoop in your supplies. Have a supply of cat litter to last at least (2) weeks. Have some plastic bags in your supplies for disposing of your cat's waste.
4. CLEANING SUPPLIES Have a small container of dish soap for cleaning purposes. Have paper towels for drying dishes and for other cleanup.
5. COLLAR AND TAG Have a proper fitting break away collar and tag on your cat at all times, and keep an extra collar in your supplies in case the permanent one gets lost. Have a spare temporary tag in your supplies that you can write on - if you are going to be living somewhere else temporarily, you should put that address and phone number on the tag. You may want to consider microchipping or tattooing your cat as a more permanent form of identification.
6. HARNESS AND LEASH You should have a proper fitting harness and leash in your supplies so that if you have to keep your cat confined in a cage for an extended period of time, you have a secure way to take the cat out of the cage to get some exercise.
7. CONFINING YOUR CAT You should have a wire collapsible cage to transport your cat in should you have to evacuate and/or to keep it in following the disaster (remember that exterior walls can fall down and windows may be broken, so you need a secure way to keep your cat safely confined). Be sure the cage is large enough to give the cat room to spread out, and extra space for a food and water dish, plus a litter box. If your cat plays with toys, include in your supplies some toys to keep your cat entertained.
8. FIRST AID KIT AND FIRST AID BOOK You should have in your supplies a basic first aid kit, along with a first aid book for cats - here are some basic items to include in that kit: ◦ conforming bandage (3"x5") ◦ absorbent gauze pads (4"x4") ◦ absorbent gauze pad (3"x 1 yard) ◦ Q-tips (1 box) ◦ antiseptic wipes ◦ emollient cream ◦ tweezers and scissors ◦ instant cold pack ◦ latex disposable gloves (several pairs)
9. MEDICATIONS If your cat is on long term medication, always have on hand at least a (2) week supply, since your vet may not be able to open right away to fill a prescription. Check with your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan - if not find a veterinarian in your area who does have a plan so that you can get medical care for your cat should it get injured during the disaster. Keep your cat's medical records, including records of vaccinations with your disaster supplies.
10. PICTURES You should have in your supplies some current pictures of your cat to use in case your cat gets lost during the disaster - be sure to include yourself in some of the pictures in case you have to show proof of ownership.

Disaster Preparedness Shopping List For Birds
Listed below is a handy shopping list for you to use. The next time you buy food or supplies for your bird, take this list with you. Don't put off doing what you should do now - it may just make the difference between being able to keep your bird alive when a disaster strikes.
Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for birds. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of birds that you have.
1. FOOD Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Use the brand that your bird is used to eating. Store food in an air tight, water proof container. Rotate food at least once every (3) months.
2. GRAVEL (Not for all types of birds) Have at least a (2) week supply at all times.
3. CUTTLE BONE AND/OR BEAK CONDITIONER Always have an extra one on hand.
4. WATER FOR DRINKING AND CLEANING Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. Rotate water at least once every (2) months.
5. CLEANING SUPPLIES AND PAPER TOWELS Have disinfectant and paper towels to clean the cage. Have at least a (2) week supply of whatever it is that you put on the bottom on the bird's cage (i.e., newspaper, butcher paper, gravel paper, etc.).
6. EXTRA SEED BOWLS AND WATER CONTAINERS Have several seed cups and water containers to replace ones that might get broken. You may want to put an extra food and water dish in the cage, so that in case you forget to feed the bird in all the confusion, the bird will have plenty of food and water.
7. FIRST AID SUPPLIES AND BOOK FOR BIRDS Check with your veterinarian to find out what he/she recommends you include in your first aid kit. Some suggested items include - kwik stop or cornstarch to stop bleeding, tweezers, heavy duty gloves (for handling the bird if it is injured and trying to bite), bandaging materials.
8. NET AND TOWEL A long handled net with small enough openings so that your bird cannot poke its head through and a heavy towel, in case your bird escapes and you have to recapture it. A heavy towel or blanket should be in with your supplies in case the disaster strikes when it is cold and you have to cover the cage to keep the bird warm.
9. EVACUATION CAGE You should have a small cage for transporting (evacuating) your bird and be sure it is one that your bird cannot chew its way out of.
10. FLASH LIGHT AND EXTRA BATTERIES This is used to regulate light hours for your bird, which is important for your birds health. In addition to having the above supplies, here are some other additional suggestions for keeping your bird safe: • Take some recent pictures of your bird, including any distinguishing marks. This is to help you locate your bird should it get loose during a disaster. Include yourself in some of the pictures for proof of ownership. • You may want to consider getting your bird microchipped. Check with your veterinarian for more information about this permanent form of identification, which works great with birds since you can't put a collar and a tag around their neck. • If your bird is on long term medication, be sure you always have at least a (2) week supply on hand. Your veterinarian may not be able to open for awhile after the disaster has struck to fill prescriptions. • Check with your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan should your bird need emergency care following a disaster. Locate a back up veterinarian just in case yours is not available. • If you are going on vacation and leaving your bird with someone, be sure you have discussed with them a plan to take care of your bird in the event of a disaster. • Check to make sure your cage is secure. All opening doors and a removable top or bottom on your cage, should be fastened to prevent them from opening during a disaster - and your bird escaping. You can use twist ties or metal ring closures to secure the cage. You should also secure the cage to a wall, using a hook and eye. Be sure you do not keep the cage under a shelf, where objects might fall during a disaster, or keep the cage near a window that might break during a disaster. Keep a pair of pliers and wire in your disaster supplies to make any necessary repairs to the cage after a disaster.