Be prepared for an emergency in advanced will give you peace of mind that both you and your pets will have what you need in the event of a crisis.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that you have 14 days worth of supplies in case you are required to quarantine. Prepare following these steps:

1. Prepare your supplies, including:
   • Food & Water: Non-perishable foods are best and recommended to be kept in airtight and waterproof containers. Also ensure you have enough water for yourself, family, and pets.
   • Medicines & Medical Records: Important medicines and health records should be kept in a waterproof container. Prepare a document that outlines feeding and any medication instructions for your pet. Include copies of up-to-date vaccination records, in case your pet needs to be housed at a boarding facility temporarily.
   • First Aid Kit: Work with your veterinarian to determine what these supplies may include for your pet. Standard kits often include: cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; medical gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a standard and pet first aid reference book
   • Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Permanent identification such as microchips, tattoos, and database registration (e.g. pet licensing through your local animal control) are always recommended. Additionally, pets should always wear a collar with ID tags and current vaccinations. Keeping a backup of these items in your supplies along with any pet registration, medical records, and recent photo can be helpful if you become separated.
   • Crate or other pet carrier: A carrier large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down in will aid in their safety and comfort. Be proactive and ensure your pet is trained to comfortably enter and stay in a kennel for a period of time.
   • Sanitation: Include litter and box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and cleaning supplies such as pure chlorine bleach without scents, added cleaners, or marked as color safe. Bleach can be used as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach) as well as to purify water in an emergency (16 drops to one gallon of water)
   • Familiar Items: Favourite toys, treats, or bedding will help reduce stress for your pet.
2. Plan for Action
   • Gather information: Ensure you gather as much information as possible and listen to the advice of local authorities, trusted media sources and follow all recommendations if told to evacuate, shelter-in-place, or seek medical treatment.
   • Speak to your local veterinarians: Not just for the types of items to include in your kit for your pets but also seek information on possible shelters and services that your pet might need in an emergency. Have a list of resources handy in your kit and also pick up a sticker or note for your home that indicates the number of and type of pets in your home for authorities, in case it isn’t practical to take them with you (for example, if you are taken to hospital so your emergency pet caregiver should be contacted).
   • Plan for where you or your pets may need to go: In case you’re unable to care for your pet due to an emergency, make a list of family, friends, kennels or boarding facilities where your pet could possibly go. Speak with these possible caregivers in advance so they have all the necessary details should anything happen.
   • Secure your kit and assign buddies: Having your kit in a designated location and roles for family members can help save valuable time in an emergency. Assigning jobs and buddies helps give a sense of purpose and focus during times of uncertainty. Buddies can also be neighbors, friends, and relatives.
3. Stay Informed
   • Building your kit, having resources, as well as contact lists ready, and keeping informed of the most likely types of events in your region will help you navigate this difficult time. Review trusted information from government agencies about the types of events and seek out additional recommendations and resources to strengthen your plan.
   • The more you can do to prepare for an emergency, the less you will have to worry about if the unthinkable happens. Planning for your pets makes sense. Get ready now.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Government of Canada Get Prepared website.