Living in California means we are at extra risk of living through an earthquake or having our homes destroyed by wildfires. And with the recent several wildfires in Southern California, I thought it would be beneficial to give my recommendations for how to make sure you and your pet are prepared in case you have the unfortunate task of having to leave your house in a hurry.
#1 Make sure your home has a sticker to indicate to first responders if there are pets inside. If you happen to be at work and a disaster were to happen. You can get a free sticker from the ASPCA at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack.
#2 Make sure a neighbor or a pet care provider you trust has a spare key to you house in case you cannot get to your pet that at home in time. This will give you peace of mind especially if you have a long commute away from your home.
#3 Make a Safety Kit. This is very important when making an earthquake or fire safety kit don’t forget to include your pet’s necessities. And keep all these items in a waterproof container. Below is a list of what to include for your pet(s)
Extra pet food (make sure to swap out every two months)
Portable water and food bowls
Extra leashes, collars or harnesses
Water bottles (make sure to swap out every two months)
An extra copy of your pet’s veterinary records
Portable pet carrier for smaller pets
Blankets
Disposable garbage bags
Disposable litter trays (for cats)
#4 Make sure your pets microchip or id collar are up to date. This is just in case you are separated you have a greater chance of being reunited if these items are up to date. And also make sure to have recent pictures of your pets as well.
I hope this list helps you and your pet be prepared for anything that may happen. I hope that no one has to go through any disaster but it is always better to be prepared.