With September being National Preparedness Month, it’s a good time to remember that disasters, like hurricanes and wildfires, can happen at any moment with little to no notice. It can be difficult to remember what you need as you evacuate, especially when you have a dog, so planning in advance is key! Dr. V hosted a live video stream to share some essential planning tips for dog owners. Read on for a recap or watch the video above!


Check ID Tags

• Make sure your dog’s ID tags are up to date as addresses and phone numbers change.
• Check with your dog’s and cat's microchip manufacturer to ensure they have updated contact info.

Updated Contact List

• Double check that you have important numbers, like your vet’s number, saved for emergencies.
• Shelters may require paperwork, like proof of vaccination, so be sure to put important documents onto a smartphone app for easy access.
• As a backup, make paper copies of records for when you don’t have access to your digital copies.

Get Connected on Social

• There are many social network groups that are local to your town or neighborhood. Join in advance to keep in touch with the community! Dr. V. told us about her experience of hearing from a neighbor that her neighborhood was on the news because of an evacuation order. Thanks to her network, she was able to get her pets out safely and quickly.
• Apps like NextDoor and local Facebook groups can be great resources to stay up to date on local news, updates, and evacuations.

Make a “Go Bag”

• With little time to prepare in the midst of disaster, making a go bag for your dogs in advance is essential for a quick evacuation.
• Always have a week’s worth of dog food, cat food and water for them.
• Continuously rotate bags of food as you receive them so you are not left with an expired bag.
• Rotate your dog’s water supply every six months.
• Don’t forget dog treats and cat treats to help keep your dogs occupied in stressful situations.
• Include your dog’s carrier, bowls, leashes, and toys.

Pro-tip: Always keep your carrier empty so you don’t spend valuable time unloading any items to make way for your cat.

It is crucial that you prepare for emergencies before they happen. To watch Dr. V’s entire live stream for more details and her own harrowing story, watch the video above. Stay safe everyone!

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Pack A Go Bag For Your Pet

Fire Safety And Prevention For Families With Pets

It’s hard to pick up the news these days and not be worried about the safety of our family. As a California resident, I can tell you … the fire here is pretty terrifying. When a wildfire grows larger than the size of Manhattan, it truly beggars belief.

Whenever I start to worry, I make plans. Plans help us feel more secure in the moment, and should disaster strike, we’ll have the confidence of being prepared.

Most of us will probably never have to deal with anything more extreme than an extended power outage. But, as we see in the news, situations can arise at the drop of a hat that necessitate having to leave home in a hurry.

Few things can put your mind at ease like having a go bag. You’ve probably seen these in films and TV shows. It’s a pre-packed travel bag with a few days’ worth of supplies. You may already have one ready to go … but can you say the same for your dog? Here’s a short list of items to pack in case you need to bug out with your dog.

Simply click on the image below to view the full-size PDF and print for later reference. It’s always good to be prepared!

Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, DVM