Getting out with your pets
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Pack a couple of days' worth of clothes.
It prevents having only the stinky clothes you are standing in after losing everything.
one person who lived it
Evacuate early with your pets when an order is issued.
Storms can change direction or cause damage that makes areas inaccessible for days or weeks; leaving crated animals behind can be fatal.
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Designate a specific person to take your pets if you can no longer care for them.
This prevents your family from scrambling to decide what to do with the animals when you are gone.
one person who lived it
Place pet emergency window clings on your front window to indicate the presence of pets.
They really do work.
one person who lived it
Prop doors and windows open with objects like hangers or bricks to create escape routes for pets.
This ensures the exits cannot close if you cannot evacuate them yourself.
one person who lived it
Video your entire home and upload the file to the cloud.
It avoids the difficulty of remembering all possessions for insurance claims.
one person who lived it
Practice emergency evacuation drills with your pets.
It ensures you are familiar with the steps required, even if the pets themselves are not highly trainable.
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Leave pet carriers open in the home with treats inside so pets associate them with positive experiences, making loading easier during emergencies.
Familiarity prevents the pet from associating the carrier with something bad.
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Surrender animals to shelters with an appointment rather than abandoning them, as abandonment does not guarantee safety.
Abandoning animals wherever is convenient does not guarantee their safety.
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Use your regular veterinarian as your emergency vet if possible.
It reduces the need for repetitive explanations during emergencies.
one person who lived it