(Reprinted Northern Virginia Regional Commission Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness)
Emergency planning is for all members of the family, including pets. With the exception of service animals, most shelters do not accept pets. Prepare a list of kennels, friends or family members who may be able to care for your pet in an emergency. If you plan to place your pet in a kennel, make sure that the facility meets all requirements for long-term care and has an adequate disaster plan itself. If your family must relocate to a shelter or other site and there is no place for your pet to go, as a last resort, confine your pet to a specific room in the house and provide plenty of food and water to sustain the animal while you are away. Put together a basic disaster kit for your pets to take with you in case you just leave your residence quickly. Recommended items include:
An airline-approved carrier for each dog, cat, or other pets
ID with photo, vaccination records, registrations, special needs list, sufficient medicines, collar and a muzzle/leash
An extra supply of pet food
Plenty of clean water
Bowls (disposable containers if you must leave your residence), manual can opener, kitchen trash bags, bleach (disinfectant and water purification), blankets, towels, paper towels and other waste disposal supplies
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