When we choose to share our lives with animals, our lives are often enriched in ways we could never imagine. And we add new levels of worry that didn’t exist before. This can be especially true for people who live alone and have animals.
I’ve been “blessed” with a lot of unusual life experiences. Like, when I lived alone and had two houses totally destroyed by fire in the same year. Neither fire was my fault. And, yes, I lost absolutely everything. Except for my dog.
Maybe it was because I was an EMT for a bunch of years when I was younger, and that gave me a different mindset. Maybe it was because I’ve always been hyper-protective of my animals. But I had a plan in place that saved my dog in both instances.
If you live alone and you don’t have a plan for emergency situations, now would be a good time to create one.
Emergency Plan for Pet Owners Living Alone
- Emergency Contact Information
- Create emergency cards for your wallet and home
- Include:
- Number and types of pets
- Your vet’s contact information
- Trusted friends/family who can care for pets
- Your pet’s medical conditions and medications
- Place visible stickers on windows/doors alerting first responders to pets inside
- Evacuation Kit
- Keep a “go bag” in an easily accessible location containing:
- 3-7 days of pet food and water
- Medications and medical records
- Leashes, carriers, and harnesses
- Recent photos of pets (for identification)
- Pet first-aid supplies
- Familiar toys/bedding for comfort
- Update supplies regularly to prevent expiration
- Designated Caregivers
- Identify at least 2-3 trusted people who:
- Have keys to your home
- Know your pets’ routines
- Have written authorization for veterinary care
- Are familiar with pet medications/special needs
- Create a detailed care instruction document
- Home Safety Measures
- Install smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
- Place emergency stickers near entrances
- Keep pets’ favorite hiding spots accessible
- Store leashes/carriers near exits
- Consider installing a pet door for emergency exits
- Documentation Package (Keep in waterproof container):
- Pet ownership papers
- Vaccination records
- Medical history
- Insurance information
- Recent photos
- Microchip information
- Practice and Review
- Run evacuation drills with pets
- Update emergency contacts regularly
- Check and refresh supplies quarterly
- Keep pet carriers easily accessible
- Ensure pets are comfortable with carriers
- Technology Solutions
- Install security cameras to check on pets remotely
- Consider pet monitoring systems
- Use smart home devices for emergency alerts
- Keep phone charged for emergency communications
The key to emergency preparedness is having plans in place before you need them. Here’s hoping you never need them.
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