There’s no getting around it — natural disasters are bigger and more frequent than ever. Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes threaten the homes of millions of people every year. It’s scary enough to be faced with an oncoming disaster if you only need to think of yourself. But what if you have a cat — or several cats? Your decisions about what to do can make a difference whether they make it through.
Of course, having a cat-specific disaster kit is crucial, and I’ll get to that in a moment. But even before that, I want to discuss something that you may be neglecting in the decisions you make about what to do when disaster strikes.
Is Your Disaster Plan the Best One for Your Cat?
When you hear of an oncoming hurricane, tornado, or wildfire you generally have three choices: flee, find shelter, or tough it out at home. Which path you choose depends a lot on your own circumstances. But often you’re not limited to just one. In that case, the decision you should take into consideration is: what will be best for your cat?
You’re a human, and you have a lot more freedom to move around and find help than your cat does. You understand what is going on. If you’ve been paying attention to the news and weather reports, you have a timeframe in which to take action. Your cat has none of that. Your cat is completely dependent on you for food and care. They are probably scared because of all the noise and panic in the air.
What you may want to do about facing this disaster may not be the best path to take for your cat. Please make your decision with your cat in mind.
Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Disaster Plan
If my home is completely destroyed or under water, what will my cat and I do? If my home is being threatened by an oncoming disaster, will I be able to rescue both myself and my cat or cats? Do I have a plan for this in case the worst happens?
Do I know which emergency shelters accept pets, and specifically cats? What do I know about them? How can I make my cat comfortable if I have to stay in one for more than a day or two?
Do I know where the cat friendly hotels or friends are if I decide to flee the area? You should not wait until a storm is almost on top of you before figuring that out. Plan ahead of time to know safe havens for all the surrounding areas, because until disaster strikes, you won’t know in which direction you will be fleeing.
Remember, your cats are relying on you to help them in a time of need. If they are house cats who live indoors most of all of the time, they will not be able to fend for themselves outside.
The Other Consideration Most People Neglect
It’s easy to panic under extreme and devastating circumstances. Remaining calm under horrible circumstances may be the hardest thing to do right now. But the calmer you can be during a disaster, the easier it will be to get things in order for your cat.
Cats are emotional sponges, and they already sense that something bad is going on. The more tense and upset you are, the more likely they are to be frightened, act out, and be hard to handle.
Remember, you and your cat are in this together. They are not just another problem to deal with. When you are somewhere safe once again, they will be there for you to help you feel better. Now is your time to be calm, be strong, and do what you can for them.
The Practical Preparations
I’ve saved this for last because there are so many resources available to help you put together a disaster preparedness kit. But here’s a refresher.
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Items Your Kit Needs
- At least a week’s worth of nonperishable food and water for each cat, in a sealed container.
- Your cat’s meds, at least a 2-week supply.
- Flea and tick medicine to last a month.
- Enough cat litter to last at least a couple of weeks, and (if evacuating or possibly evacuating), disposable litter boxes.
- Nonbreakable food and water dishes. They should also be non-spill
- Kennels for transportation (you should have something larger and sturdier than your normal carriers, in case they have to stay in them for extended periods).
- Towels, blankets, and your cat’s favorite bed. Items that already smell like them will offer more comfort.
- Any toys or trinkets they love.
- Cleaning supplies (accidents happen!).
- Extra ID tags for each cat
- Harness and leash. This is why I recommend your cat be harness and leash trained, even if you never intend to take them on adventures outside. If they are already used to a harness, they will be less likely to resist it in a crisis.
- A pet first aid kit. Here’s a quick Amazon link. You should also know how to use the items. Our friend and pet safety expert Arden Moore has online pet first aid classes and we highly recommend them!
Paperwork to Take With You
These can be on your phone, actual paper, or if possible, both. Anything on paper should be enclosed in a waterproof container.
- Your contact information, both for your home and phone, and for your destination, if traveling to a safe location.
- Your cat’s veterinary records, especially their vaccination records.
- Registration records from the rescue, shelter or breeder where you obtained your cat, to prove ownership.
- Contact info for a caregiver who has agreed to take your cat if something happens.
- Contact info for both your regular vet, and emergency clinics. If you are traveling, have emergency vet info for your destination.
- Photos of your cat, both physical photographs and on your phone.
- Description of your cat — male, female, whether neutered, fur color, weight, etc.
A Couple Other Things You Should Have Prepared
- Make sure your cat is microchipped, and you are up to date on their records.
- Stickers to put in your window, letting rescuers know that you have one or more cats.
I know it’s a lot, but if you are prepared and organized, you’ll be glad you have all this!
Here’s hoping you never have to be faced with leaving your home because of a disaster! If you have been in that situation, and you have more advice to offer, please do! This is an important topic with lots to address.