Do you have the following items ready? You should to be prepared for any type of emergency be it fire, wind, flood, ice or snow storm, etc.

A written family disaster plan which includes your pets and a well stocked Disaster Preparedness Kit for the Pet may prevent loss of a valued family member. Prepare a disaster kit for each pet make sure it is marked with pets name/description.

Do not store kits in the kitchen or the garage. These are frequently the areas where fires start. Kits and their contents should be easily retrieved and kept in rodent-and ant-proof containers.

Check the contents of the disaster kits twice a year when the clocks change for daylight savings. Rotate all foods into use and replace with fresh food every two months.

Identification tags on all pets. A Pet First aid kit should be available and stored with your disaster kits. You can find them for sale at your larger local pet stores. Crate and bedding for each pet, toys or blankets your pet will find familiar.

Food, water, manual can opener, and pet dishes avoid diet changes in stressful situations. A supply of stored drinking water is essential.

Plastic bags, paper towels, newspaper (when shredded, can be used as cat litter), disinfectant for animal waste clean up. Extra collars and tags, harnesses and leashes for all pets [including cats]

Muzzles may be needed to control agitated and aggressive animals — for dogs, these can be made from gauze rolls or panty hose. A muzzle or towel can be used for cats. A towel can be used to restrain your bird if it becomes agitated and aggressive during any confusion.

Current medical and complete vaccination records on all pets. Extra bottles of the pet’s daily medications or copies of prescriptions with current expiration date. Mark your calendar to replace medications before they expire. Several current color photos of your pets.

A list of hotels, motels that accept pets and boarding kennels in your area. Extra copies of your pet’s medical and vaccination records. Boarding facilities may not accept your pets without proof of complete vaccinations.

Detailed instructions for animal care and rescue workers that can be attached to a door. A simple note pinned to a door telling about the animals inside can and often does save their lives. If an animal is extremely aggressive you should make sure that it is spelled out for the rescue workers. No one needs to be bitten while trying to save an animals life.

Animal should never be tied out or let run loose. You should confine them to the house. Roaming animal become a public health hazard and the chances of recovering them after a disaster are slim to none.

Here’s hoping we never have to use any of these items but the peace of mind you will have when you are well prepared goes a long way to preserve our quality of life.