Do You Have An Emergency Surivival Kit For Your Family and Pets?

[urneighbour]

In light of everything in the news in the last 48 hours hours, it would be interesting to know how many of our members have an "emergency" kit and supplies prepared for their family and pets in case of natural disasters and what kinds of items would be essential to their kit.

I recall one of the recommendations brought about from the New Orleans experience was people should have a minimum of 3 days of safe water and canned foods on hand as most "help" organizations and agencies need that amount of time before they are dispatched and organized enough to help provide assistance to areas. Personally, I have always meant to do this, but except for a couple large bags of kibble for the dogs and random cans of soup, vegetables and crackers and peanut butter in the pantry, I have definitely fallen short of this. As far as equipment, we have our old coleman stove from camping with 1/2 can fuel and a good supply of flashlights...but once again, I think we are definitely falling short.

 

[Cascadians]

Yes, have multiple kits. Some still unpacked, but there. Prepped extensively for Y2K and then refined preps afterward. Did not do much with nuclear other than buying a couple bottles of K103 and an NBC suit / mask.

Was in NET pilot program here in 1994, then CERT, active in both until last year, so 14 years of advanced training / drills in all things disaster-related, FEMA certified. Also been an active member of TB2K, a prep forum, since 1998.

Had not prepped for pets; didn't have any until a year ago.

Thread I put up, vital info re prepping for radioactive fallout:

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=98814
How to Protect You, Family, Newfs from Radioactive Fallout

The nuclear meltdown situation in Japan right now is extremely serious.

 

[Cascadians]

http://www.njredcross.org/safetyCenter/disasterSupplyKit.pdf
Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit

 

[urneighbour]

I have been following the thread you started and I found the links you listed very interesting and informative. All eyes will be glued on Japan in the coming days, I am sure.

 

[urneighbour]

That link to "Your Family Disaster Supply Kit" is excellent. I suggest everyone have a look at this; it is very informative and helpful and full of common sense ideas. Thanks for sharing that link.

 

[Cascadians]

My training instructor ended up being promoted to run the CERT program for all of Homeland Security.

Here's the training modules for Animals:

http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/downloads/training/CERT_Animal_Response_I_PM_Final_073010.pdf
Animal Response I

http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/downloads/training/CERT_Animal_Response_II_PM_Final_073010.pdf
Animal Response II

great pet checklists and info in these!

 

[wrknnwf]

I have a safe room equipped with some necessary items. Only a few days worth, but better than nothing. Has crates, lots of water, a few foodstuffs (used to have MRE's, but it's easier to rotate regular food), blankets, comfy chairs, AC/DC radio with weather channel, map, first aid kit and other items. Extra leashes, collars and other doggie items too.

Our biggest threat is tornadoes and that isn't as big a threat in a city this size as other disasters.

 

[heather pluciennik]

We have a military bag full of medical supplies and surgical items. Another bag for the rain parkas, collapsible shovel, dehydrated food, water tablets, etc. Some dog items as well. Don't know when but it will be needed hopefully later than sooner.

 

[Kay]

I can't say we're well prepared. I've been through an evacuation due to a natural disaster before and it's not easy with animals. My hope is that things have improved since my experience (in 1999), but I'm not sure that's the case.

When I was fresh out of school in my first apartment in Cincinnati my apartment was hit directly by a tornado. I didn't realize that, only thought it was the loudest storm I'd ever heard ... of course my logic at 4am or whenever it struck was flawed. (I remember thinking I had incredibly rude neighbors upstairs when I heard loud noises, not realizing that what I was hearing was a roof being torn off, etc.)

I had two cats at the time and was alarmed to hear someone banging on my door at an insane hour. It was the fire department and I was told we were being evacuated. "What about animals?" I remember saying. "Bring them" was the reply. My pet carriers were stored in a basement storage closet, so I put each cat in their own pillowcase, threw on clothes (didn't even have time for a bra, so that rode with one of the cats) and headed outside.

My first thought was that I would just get into my car and drive to my boyfriend's apartment. How unrealistic. Your perspective first changes when you're being led outside a broken out window vs. the door, then when you see your car and realize ... it's not going anywhere.

My next thought was that I would call someone to come get me (though I didn't have a cell phone then). A neighbor invited me into their apartment which still had a working phone but no longer had a ceiling. I left my boyfriend a message on his answering machine and was able to reach my parents, who were watching the news and saw my apartment complex. Needless to say they were in a bit of a panic, so it was good to touch base.

We were taken on buses first to a local school where we waited in the cafeteria. No problem there, one of my cats was even petted by the mayor. Then we were moved to another school.

Here was where the problem arose. That school didn't allow you to take your animals inside. I was told that there was a SPCA van outside and I could leave my cats there and go inside. I thought they would hold my cats for me until I was picked up, but no, my choice was to surrender my cats or not to go into the shelter. I can't communicate how upsetting this was. I ended up standing outside the doors of the school, with two pillowcases with a cat each, in light rain. I was finally able to convince a policeman to let me borrow his cell phone so I could be picked up and out of there ... the tears probably helped.

The thing is ... that was a situation which was localized. Once I was able to be picked up we drove out of my area and other areas weren't as impacted. I could go to the store, stay in a clean apartment, etc. There was a degree of normalcy even though I had to find a new place to live, buy a new car, etc.

My heart goes out to people in Japan and to anyone who has no escape.

 

[urneighbour]

Wow, Kay! That must have been a horrible situation and incredibly insensitive of them to expect you to permanently relinquish your cats in order to obtain temporary shelter for yourself.

 

[victoria1140]

we have 6 months supply of dog food, medications including epi pens, 2 freezers full plus dried and preserved foods from our allotment. A small canister camping stove plus if we have to evacuate then we hitch up our caravan and we can live fairly comfortably in there.

I can't believe they would expect you to give up your pets in an emergency situation!

 

[dumainedogs]

The choice between leaving pets behind and rescue was an unfortunate and heartbreaking reality for hundreds of people after Katrina. My neighbor who was caring for his 3 dogs as well as mine during the storm (His wife and I were out of the country) .. had to leave our animals behind when he was rescued. We were fortunate in that we had the resources and made contacts to get back to get them out in a matter of days and they'd been left in a secure area high and dry with plenty of food and water. Still, it was agonizing. I think everyone learned their lesson here on that one. I, for one, avoid taking vacation during hurricane season But also, since then, the city/state have made much better arrangements for pre-storm evacuation that includes pets. Also, during hurricane season I always have our "evacuation" supplies ready to go on a moment's notice.

 

[newfiemomof2]

We are prepared due to hurricanes, tornadoes and havoc here. Food supplies for 2-leggeds and 4-leggeds and medical supplies. I even have a 4 week supply of dehydrated food in a big bucket that goes with me to dog shows, just in case there is trouble there or I cannot get home. After living in S. Cal for almost 20 years and working for the County, I am prepared as best I can be to take care of us beyond the 72 hour limit.

 

[LeahO]

It's a good point - we should be better prepared than we are. I sell water filters and my company makes emergency kits, so that's easy. Even though water, ropes, flashlights, etc won't be a problem I can't say we have enough food - just a large bag of pinto beans and the typical stocked pantry. For Ben, however, we just have lots of cans of organic chicken he turned out to be allergic to (I think). He pretty much eats everything else asap!

LeahO

 

[KodysGrandma]

DO IT! If you are not prepared now get there. Somewhere on the Internet is a list of items to buy over time Approx. $5 a week and by the end of a year you can survive several months. It "ain't" elegant but it works. 30+ years in hurricane country, we can survive. On very rare occasions the dog food may be down to a couple of days but that's not the norm. Doggie first aid kit all in one place. Be sure you include first aid and medicine for you too.

 

[NinaA]

Wow. I thought I was fairly well prepared but you all are making me realize I'm not. I have crates, leashes, radios, candles, etc. in the basement (we have mostly tornadoes) and a walk in pantry (assuming it would still be there) that would feed us for days, but I don't have any food or water in the basement. Hmmmm. Going to the list to see what I need to do.