The government finally recognizes the need to plan for pets during emergencies.  How nice.  It’s with a large degree of irony that I read this: “Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals.”  They obviously didn’t realize that until after Hurricane Katrina.

Nevertheless, they are making an extremely important point: While you must plan for food and water and essentials to take care of your family during an emergency (supplies to last at minimum three days), it’s equally imperative that you consider and make similar plans for your nonhuman family members.  That includes food, water, medicines, and any other necessary items.

I have long advocated keeping emergency kits stocked and available at home.  To give you an example, here’s what I keep in mine:

• at least two full cases of bottled water
• no less than two unopened bags of cat food
• at least a dozen cans of cat food
• ample supplies of cat medications
• OTC medications and items (antacid, aspirin, laxative, Neosporin, Carmex, Vaseline, etc.)
• nonperishable foods
• batteries
• candles
• flashlight
• battery-powered radio
• trash bags
• at least one full box of litter in addition to what’s already in the three boxes
• litter scooper
• a wholly analog telephone (not cordless and not electronic)
• blankets and sheets
• a first aid kit
• fingernail clippers and scissors
• a dust mask
• duct tape
• plastic sheeting
• moist towelettes
• manual can opener
• tools (wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, and assorted items)
• a stash of change along with emergency cash
• matches and lighters
• standard chlorine bleach (both for disinfecting and for sterilizing water)
• paper towels
• toilet paper
• a medicine dropper (for use with the bleach)
• pens/pencils and paper
• plastic eating utensils and paper plates, bowls, and cups
• vitamins
• extra clothes (for both warm and cold weather)
• extra shoes (a pair of hiking boots and a pair of sneakers)
• several cotton t-shirts for filtering (liquids, air, etc.)
• tweezers
• cat brush and nail clippers
• pet carriers (one for each, although right now I’m one short of five)
• towels
• books and magazines
• laptop bag with supplies
• sunglasses
• cat toys
• cat treats
• various knives (from large to small)
• my cell phone, of course

Things I need to add (not inclusive):

• HEPA air filtration system
• an on-the-fly water filtration straw
• a fifth pet carrier
• hand crank radio
• hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol

A majority of these supplies is kept together in a few boxes near the garage door so they are easily available and movable on short notice.  Only a few items would need to be collected (in addition to the cats and myself, that is) if we were forced to evacuate.

One might assume I’m being quite anal about this whole being prepared thing.  One would be correct in assuming such a thing.  If Hurricane Katrina did not clearly demonstrate that an emergency likely means we are on our own, I doubt anything could drive home the point.

While the government recommends at least three days worth of supplies (e.g., food and water), again I point to Hurricane Katrina as an example of why that recommendation should be ignored entirely.  You should have at least a week’s worth of supplies, if not more, to ensure your own relative safety.  Under the best of circumstances, you won’t use but a small portion of it.  Sadly, as the September 11 attacks and last year’s hurricane season demonstrated, not even America can guarantee the best of circumstances within our own borders, even with ample warning, so the impetus falls on each of us to plan based on the premise that the government will utterly and completely fail us.

I highly recommend you check out the ready.gov site I linked to above.  It provides a lot of guidance on getting started with putting together emergency kits.  Do not consider it the authoritative guide for mileage will vary based on your circumstances.  It does, however, give critical information on scaling (e.g., how much water per person per day, not to mention pets), recommendations on essentials, and important considerations depending on your individual and/or family needs (e.g., if you have a baby or an elderly member).

We can all hope these steps are unnecessary.  That said, I’d rather spin my wheels now than find myself in a precarious, life-threatening situation later with no supplies to keep us going.  And that’s especially true when it comes to The Kids.