Here are some disaster-planning tips that will give your animal companions the best chance of handling whatever nature throws our way. That's why pets should always wear a collar and identification tags. Keep temporary ID tags at hand, too, to put on your pet if you're forced to evacuate. Records are important, too, if you have to leave your pet in another person's care. Prepare a file with medical records, your pet's microchip or tattoo number, your veterinarian's phone number and address, feeding and medication instructions, and recent pictures of your pet.
Harnesses work better than collars at keeping panicky pets safe, but crates work best of all.
Sturdy crates keep pets safe and give you more options for housing your pet away from home. Crates provide pets with a room of their own, and that can buy them space in an overcrowded shelter, kennel or veterinary hospital. Rotating supplies will ensure that they don't get stale. When you buy a new bag of kibble, put it in the disaster kit and use the one that's already on hand. If your pet eats canned food, be sure to keep an extra can opener and spoon tucked in among the emergency supplies.