Are you prepared to evacuate your home with little notice? How about your dog? The best way to prepare is to have a “Go Bag” for your dog.
March is the start of tornado season here in Illinois, even though they can happen at any time. That, and the events overseas, reminded us to check our go-bags. Each human member of the family should have a go-bag of their own. To keep it easier, most people can probably use a single bag for their pets.
What should be in your dog’s go-bag
A go-bag is for a short-term evacuation, so you may or may not have access to retail stores or normal living conditions. Disasters that would force an evacuation are disruptive – you may not be able to get supplies for a few days.
Go-bag contents:
- Paperwork in a resealable plastic bag:
- Copies of your dog’s vaccination records. Make hard copies to keep in the bag and replace them whenever vaccines are updated. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the record and store it online.
- Your personal information, including your name, address, mobile phone number(s), and an emergency contact.
- A picture of you with your pets, and a separate photo of each animal.
- Bowls: one water bowl and a food bowl for each pet. Bowls are easily forgotten, so having an extra set stored is a good idea.
- Extra collars and leashes for each pet. If they’re stored away in the go-bag, you don’t have to worry about it.
- Bedding. A towel or familiar mat will do in a pinch. Something to make your dog feel comfortable.
- Toys. A couple of your dog’s favorite toys or chewies will help reduce stress.
- Treats. Your dog’s favorites will let them know things are okay.
- Poop Bags. Because you always need poop bags.
- If your dog is crate-trained, an extra crate that stays in the vehicle is a good idea.
- Medical Kit. Chances are you can share one between the human and animal members of the family.
- 3-day supply of food and water
- Any prescription medication your dog uses.
There if you need it
What you use for your go-bag is up to you. A backpack, duffel bag, or soft-sided suitcase, for example, would all work. A soft-sided cooler might be useful for perishable storage.
All of us hope that we’ll never have to use a go-bag. Having one is one less thing to worry about in a stressful situation. Most of the stuff can be duplicates of things you routinely use – only the food, water, and medicine would be last-minute grabs.
As our mother always told us: “Better to have and not need, than need and not have.”
