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Learn to Prepare a Disaster Plan With Your Greyhounds (&other Pets) in Mind

© Judy A Tomlinson

During the past several years, natural and man-made disasters have been in the news more frequently that in times past. Making plans for animals has long been an overlooked part of disaster planning. It has only been recently that various organizations are beginning to deal with this issue.

Everyone should have a disaster plan, since disasters occur everywhere. Hurricanes and blizzards on the East Coast, tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest, hurricanes and fires in the Southeast, fires, floods, and earthquakes on the West coast, and even volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. It is important for individuals to ask themselves a few key questions; such as - what type of a disaster might affect your area? How is the best way to prepare for them? Are you likely to have any warning before the disaster strikes? Do you have the knowledge to develop an evacuation plan? What agencies in your area are involved in the event of a disaster?

The Red Cross has a very informative website on preparing for a disaster.

One of the first things you should complete is a disaster kit for your family and your pets. The "people" disaster kit is described in several of the urls mentioned in this article, but following are suggestions for the animal kit.

Water & food bowls, food & bottled water (enough for 7 days, at least). Dry food is suggested as it is lighter - put it in a waterproof container.

Extra ID tags, leashes & collars. Muzzles (disasters can stress dogs greatly), kitty litter, and a disposable litter box, plastic bags for picking up poop
Crates for each dog & cat if possible - blankets and/or beds for each animal - a few toys/chew bones - to help with boredom, and stress.

Each pet's vet record and 1 week's supply of any meds they are on. Extra meds such as diarrhea medicine, Benadryl, and something like rescue remedy for anxiety should also be included. These items must be in a watertight container. Also add current photos of each pet in case they become lost. An excellent item to include here is "Adopting the Racing Greyhound," by Cynthia Branigan. I would include this for several reasons - anesthesia procedures, & all medical differences between Greyhounds and other breeds are explained fully. Plus if you are in a shelter, it makes good reading even if you have read it 100 times!

You will also need a first aid kit which should include, among other things, vet wrap, 4x4's, tape, antibiotic ointment, scissors, forceps and styptic powder.