By Dee Amberg, Freeborn County Humane Society

With spring on the way and the chance of flooding and violent storms being a concern now is the time to prepare a disaster plan not only for yourself and your loved ones but also for the family pet.

Here are a few things you need to do now.

Build a disaster kit for your pets. The kit should have:

1. A week’s supply of food per pet, stored in an air-tight container. Rotate the food out every three months, and also include a can opener, spoon and extra bowl.

2. A two-week supply of water per pet, stored in air-tight containers. Rotate the water out every two months, and also include an extra bowl.

3. Please make sure your animal has a collar and tag, or microchip your pet for permanent identification. Keep current photos of your pets, make sure you are in the photos with your pets, you may need these as proof of ownership.

4. Purchase or put together a first-aid kit for each of your pets. Some items to include are conforming bandages, absorbent gauze pads, absorbent gauze roll, tweezers, scissors, instant cold pack, zinc oxide tape, latex gloves, emollient wipes, cotton tipped applicators, slip lead, muzzle, hand towel, first-aid guide for companion animals this book can be purchased at your local book store and non-adherent absorbent dressing. Include at least one week’s supply of any long-term medications, and create a collar tag indicating any medical needs.

5. Have several rolls of paper towels in plastic bags and prepare a small container of dish soap and disinfectant.

For dogs

Have a pooper scooper, small plastic bags, harness, leash and collapsible crate or kennel.

For cats

Have an extra litter box and scooper, a one week’s supply of cat litter, collapsible crate or kennel and a harness or leash in case you need to exercise your cat in an open area.

For horses, swine and cattle

Have a halter and lead rope for each animal, extra feeding bucket, water trough, salt lick and tie out rope, two week’s supply of bedding materials, manure fork, clean garbage cans for large quantities of water and fence panels to create smaller enclosures.

For birds, reptiles and rabbits

Have at least a one week’s supply of cage liners, evacuation cage or carrier, extra water bowls or bottles, long handled net, heavy towel and blanket and flashlight and extra batteries to regulate the birds daily schedule.

Plan your disaster escape route now and practice it often, practice loading your horses in the trailer, putting your dogs and cats in carriers and loading in the car.

If you are away from home make sure a neighbor, friend or relative can evacuate your pets for you. Practice your disaster plan with them so they know what to do in your absence. Make sure they know where your disaster kits are, and where the safe spot for your animals is located. Make sure all family members practice the disaster plan. The most important things to remember are this:

1. Do not leave your pet behind because they cannot survive on their own.

2. You can’t take your pet to human shelter so you’ll need an alternate plan.

3. If you are evacuated by emergency responders they won’t take your animals.

Please make your disaster plans now and practice your escape route. The lives of your companion animals are depending on you. Please don’t let them down. In 2008, I deployed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as an animal disaster responder, one of the most heartbreaking memories from that deployment were the faces of the people who had lost their beloved pets. Don’t let that happen to you, plan now.

Dee Amberg is a board member and feral cat initiative coordinator of the Freeborn County Humane Society.