Pets are part of the family too - make sure they're included in your planning!  

This page provides some great tips on how to include your pets into your emergency planning. 

Prepare a pet survival kit

• Food and water - enough for at least 72 hours per pet.  A medium sized dog needs about four litres of water per day and a cat about one litre.
• Litter box or extra newspapers/paper towels to clean up any accidents.  A pooper scooper would also be a good idea.
• Any special medications – if your pet needs to take medication regularly. 
• Leash / spare collar.
• Registration/identification information – make sure the collar tag includes your pets name, your address and contact phone number.
• Pet bed and a favourite toy.
• Transport kennel/cage.

During a disaster
If you need to evacuate your home, always try to take your pets with you.  If this isn’t possible, use these tips to help make sure your pet will be safe:

• Put up a highly visible sign in a window to let emergency workers know how many pets were left behind.
• Leave your pet plenty of food and water.  Make sure the water is in a large container that can not be tipped over. Food should be left in a timed feeder so they don’t eat three days worth of food at once.  Visit your local vet to find out more about this product.
• Never tie your pet up or leave it in a cage.  It might seem safer, but if your pet is restrained, it may not be able to escape if it needs to. 

If your pet is lost after a disaster

• Visit or phone Lakes Environmental to see if your pet has been picked up and impounded.  You could also try your local vet or animal shelter.
• Search your neighbourhood and lobby your friends and neighbours to help you search.