Pet Survival
Your pets depend on you to keep them safe. Do not EVER consider evacuating and leaving your pet or pets behind. It's just something a good pet owner wouldn't do. Now is the time to plan for your evacuation....make sure you have enough vehicles that can transport every pet the first time. You don't want to have to return for those left behind for two reasons (1) they may not make it in the time it takes you to evacuate and return (2) authorities may not allow you back to go get them. That is why it's imperitive you all leave together.
Planning To Evacuate….
1. Always keep the phone numbers of your vet, pet friendly hotels, nearby animal hospitals/shelters as well as any relief agencies around in your vicinity. Identify resources in the vicinity that might be in a position to help well before anything happens.
You should ALWAYS have a crate or carrier for any pet you have. If you have horses, you need enough trailers and vehicles to pull them. I have 10 dogs....8 fit in my van and the remaining dogs would ride in my husband's vehicle. We know we need at least 2 vehicles to transport them so always have both gassed up and ready to go. Most local disaster relief shelters are intended for people and don’t allow anyone to bring animals of any kind because of the mess and dangers of an animal attacking someone or another animal. This is improving since Hurricane Katrina, but is still not across the board. Some states have passed laws requiring hotels/shelters to take animals during emergencies. Know your laws ahead of time. If you plan to go to a relative’s home, ask ahead of time if they are ok with taking your pets too.
2. Make sure your pet has all current vaccinations and that you have any necessary medicines available. Flea and tick medications are important too if your plan is to camp (which is often the case when someone has multiple dogs). Your house may not have fleas or ticks but shelters will have them and other temporary locations may have them too. If your pet requires any allergy medicines, heartworm medicine, or prescriptions, make a small stockpile of them. 
3. Bring food for your pet. Dried foods in the original packaging would be easiest to store. Canned foods are heavy and will add significant weight. Unless the pet has health issues, often they can simply eat whatever you do - one way to save space. Tuna or canned beef stew could be eaten by both of you. If you have multiple pets make sure your vehicle can carry the supplies they need as well as the pets.
4. People generally need one gallon of water every day to stay hydrated, but your pets will not want that much unless they’re huge dogs, but you should still plan on at least 1/2 gallon a day for every pet. Horses will require much more.
5. Food and water bowls, along with covers, chew toys, leashes, collars, harnesses, maybe even warm clothes for certain pets should be in your kit. Make your leashes and collars from paracord and you can disassemble them in an emergency. An add on bike wagon for pets can carry supplies as well as pets.
6. Indoor cats will still need their litter boxes in a shelter, and you must have scoops and bags to dispose of the used litter.
7. Up-to-date pictures and/or descriptions of your pets needs to be in the kit as well so other people can help look for for your animals if you get split up. Make sure your dogs are microchipped and the information is current - with the phone number of someone outside the area and a cell phone. Cell phones run out of battery power and you won't be home to answer calls - make sure your contact person knows they are your backup. Every pet should have a visible ID with your cell phone number and an alternate number - such as a vet or friend.
8. If you’re going to be in a shelter pet accidents will happen, so be ready. Pack newspapers and plastic bags for waste. Bring a muzzle if your dog may become scared or bitey. Always have a safe crate they can retreat to. Shelters are scary for pets!
9. If the emergency happens when you are away or at work, have a reliable buddy or next door neighbor you can contact take care of your pet until you can get back home. And of course, any pet sitter would need to have a key or access to a hidden key.
You can be prepared for survival and still panic and freak out. Animals will feel safe if you are calm. They may not listen to you at all, so don’t trust them to simply run around you or obey your commands, always use a leash.
SHTF Survival Situation
In a long term SHTF situation, everything changes. Think about if you could never go to a store again, what would you need to take care of and transition your pets off the grid? How will you feed them? How will you keep them flea and parasite free (D-earth is great for this).
Training Your Pets For Emergencies
Don’t just assume your pet will do ok because he knows how to sit and fetch a ball. Just like you, your animal will be very stressed and not like himself at all. He might try and run away, he may be depressed and refuse to eat, or he may even become aggressive to strangers - attempting to protect you and himself. These are his animal instincts and you can’t do a whole lot about them except being prepared for them.
Your dogs should be trained to come, to sit and stay, and to be quiet. The last thing you want is a barking dog that won’t stop. It's a good way to get yourself kicked out of the shelter. A calm, well behaved dog will be more welcome than a hyper, destructive spaz dog. You also need to teach your dog how to stay in a crate when necessary. You don't want a dog that will escape the second you leave for a minute to use the bathroom or get something to eat. There is a good article about this here....
Once your animals get out into the world everything will be strange to them. Fires, smoke, guns, and other people and animals can all scare them. Spend time now training them around these things so they won't freak out when it matters. Rescue Remedy is also a natural relaxant for people and animals and many dogs find it comforting to wear a thundershirt when stressed. Thunderstorms and loud noises can happen even away from home. If you use these items, pack them!
And train your animals to be useful too. In a SHTF situation everyone and everything should pull their weight. Some breeds can also be excellent protectors or pull sleds or carts. Even smaller dogs can carry their own water or food with a backpack, get him used to it now.
What to put in his bug out bag?
Here's a tentative list...you may have other things you'd like to add....
- Leash
- Dishes (something that folds small is nice)
- Water (1/2 gallon per day)
- Food (freeze dried is lightweight) - 3 days minimum
- Blanket/bed
- Familiar or favorite toy or ball, or something to chew for anxiety
- Small first aid kit
- Muzzle
- Coat or booties for small or short haired dog that may get cold
- Soft crate that can be folded up and put in a bug out bag or dog pack.
- Rescue Remedy (for calming)
- Thundershirt (if you have one)
- Any regular medications - ie: thyroid, heartworm meds, etc.
Don't put it off
Being prepared is the key to surviving with your pets. If you have more than one pet, put someone in charge of each animal and make sure everyone knows where the emergency pet supplies are. Have an evacuation plan and make sure there are carriers or leashes for EVERY animal. Make sure you have enough supplies for at least a few days - and can leave with those supplies if need be. Your pet is depending on YOU to have his back....
HIGH NUTRITION LIGHT WEIGHT FREEZE DRIED FOODS FOR DOGS
