18 Things You Need In Your Pet Emergency Survival Kit

When we’re making plans for worst case scenarios, we plan for ourselves and our human family members to ensure our safety. But what about our pets? If you’re like millions of Americans, you probably have a pet dog or cat (or several pets if you’re lucky). The bond you have with your pet is special and unique. No two pet/owner relationships are the same, just like no two human friendships are the same. Our pets are important members of our families. We may not be able to communicate in the same language, but they want to feel safe and secure too.

Fortunately, preparing your pet for an emergency is very similar to what you prepare for yourself, with a few modifications.

We’ve put together this guide to help you and your pet stay safe, and stay together, in an emergency.

Prepare a kit with these emergency supplies:

1. Food supply for 72 hours: Pets don't eat the same food as us. Human food can be poisonous to pets, and it doesn't give them the nutrients they need. It is important to have a kit where your pet can have food to keep it healthy.
2. Water supply for 72 hours: You won't always have access to clean water, so having water set aside in any kit is vital, and the same goes for your pet.
3. Food and water dishes: Sure, a pet can eat food off the floor, but what about water? It is important to have something that your pet can drink out of so they can stay hydrated.
4. First aid kit: Accidents happen. Your pet deserves to be taken care of, and this includes making sure that its injuries can be treated. Specific things in the kit?
5. Pet emergency guidebook: a guidebook specifically geared towards helping you know how to care and plan for your pets in the event of an emergency.
6. Medications: If your pet is on any medication, they will still need it when an emergency arises. Make sure that your pet emergency kit has all the medications they will need.
7. Collar and leash: Your pet is going to need to move around. If you don't have a leash, then when frightened, your pet may run away. Pet-friendly shelters will almost always require your pet to be on a leash.
8. Pet waste bags and/or litter box: Preventing the spread of bacteria and disease is one of the most important considerations during a disaster. All animals create waste, and it is important to clean up after your pet. Having a way to do that will help you maintain a clean shelter.
9. Emergency reflective blanket
10. A picture of your pet and you: Your pet might get lost or run away during the frightening emergency situation. Having a picture of your pet is a great idea, but it is even better if you are in the picture as well. This can be further proof to others that your pet belongs to you.
11. Records: Having documentation is important. Shelters may need a vaccination record and documentation that your pet does indeed belong to you. You may also consider having your pets chipped by your veterinarian. Having information on your pet can also help if you are sheltering your pet at a pet motel or with a friend.
12. Carrying case: When a pet gets frightened, it might be difficult to get them to safety. They might not walk on their own, and if you simply pick them up they might jump out of your arms. By having a carrier, you can eliminate these problems. In addition to this, the CDC advises that you get your pet familiar with the carrier ahead of time. This will help them understand that it is safe for them to be in.
13. Rope and stake: By having a rope and stake, your dog will be able to move around freely in a restricted area. This can help keep them at your camp, or wherever you may be, and still have a bit of freedom. This will also take the worry off your mind of keeping an eye on them, or always holding a leash.
14. Blanket: Having some comfort for your pet can make a huge difference when their world collapses. If you have to evacuate, this can hold a lot of security for them.
15. Treats: Helping your pet be at ease can make a huge difference for them. Adding treats to your emergency kit can help give your pet comfort and a reward for being good.
16. Toys: Giving your pet a little security can go a long way. By having toys it can help calm your pet when they are in a stressful environment. If you have small children, it can also help distract them as they play with their pet.
17. Whistle: There is a possibility that you will get lost, or your dog will. Dogs tend to react to whistles, and it can help them find you. If you and your dog are lost, it can help rescuers find both of you. Take some time to train your dog to come to the sound of the whistle
18. Bag to store and carry all items easily

You can use this list to build a pet emergency kit on your own, or use it as a guide to purchase a pre-built kit. Purchasing a pre-built kit will allow you to have more time to focus on other aspects of your emergency preparedness plan. You can see our line of pet emergency kits HERE.

For a FREE Pet Emergency Guide, follow the link below. In it you will have access to the information that was discussed here, as well as more in depth information on first aid, sheltering, and other ways to keep your pet safe. It also has places to write down documentation you may need, and a place for that picture of your pet and you.

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The Best Ways to Filter Water in Any Situation

It's a cocktail from your nightmares: diarrhea, giardiasis, fluorosis, adenovirus infection, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and cholera. What do all these have in common? They are all diseases that dirty drinking water can give you. If you want to avoid them, you need to purify your drinking water. There are many methods that come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Which one is best for you? This guide gives you your best options based on your circumstances.

Backpacking

You want something lightweight but still effective. Generally you only need to filter one person's worth of water since each backpacker has their own filter.

Iodine Pills

• Iodine pills: They are affordable and easy to pack, but have a bad aftertaste
• Cost: $7.00
• How to use: Drop two pills into 1 quart of water. Let rest 30 minutes before drinking
• Portable Filter: If you want good tasting water, this is your best bet. They cost more and take up more space, but last for a long time
• Cost: $15.00 to over $100.00
• How to use: Usually you just have to pump from a water source into your container. Some are bottles or straws with the filter built in
• UV light: If you want a really easy method you can get a pen that emits UV light. It doesn't get rid of dirt, but kills all microorganisms
• Cost: $50 - $70
• How to use: Insert pen in 1 liter of water and turn on for 90 seconds

Camping

Camping generally requires more purified water than other scenarios, but you don't have the weight restriction that you have for backpacking.

• Boiling: you can purify large amounts of water at a time without effecting the taste, and it's free!
• Cost: $0 (assuming you already have a pot and a lid, don't forget the lid)
• How to: Heat the water until it is at a full boil, by that time it is ready

Home Use

If the water in your city isn't that great, there are options to purify it. There are filters, these don't require electricity, which is good for emergency situations. For day to day use, there are also distillers.

• Filter: There are plenty of mechanical filters either in the form of a pitcher or attached to the faucet. These filters work really well. 
• Cost: $20 to over $600
• How to: If it's a pitcher filter, then you only need to fill it up slowly and let it work. Others you have to attach to your faucet or plumbing system
• Distiller: While this method is the most thorough and safe, it also eliminates healthy minerals in the water, so be careful
• Cost: $100 to over $1000
• How to: The best models will have you fill them up and then they just run automatically

Emergency Preparedness

In an emergency situation, have several of the options listed above prepared to purify water. "One is none and two is one." You don't want to be stuck without a backup plan, so redundancy is important. Just make sure you don't take two of the same, instead take two different ones. For example, I would carry a lightweight backpacking pot for boiling water. This gives me long term safe water. As back up I'd carry either a bottle of iodine pills and/or small backpacking filter.

There it is, a simple guide to filtering water anywhere!