Most people do not plan for unexpected events. Disasters--natural or man-made--are totally unexpected events. With any disaster, planning is the key to survival and recovery.

While you are planning for your family's survival, remember that your pets depend upon you. A disaster is as stressful to your pets as it is to you. The love shared with your pets can help reduce the stress of a disaster, for you, your family, and your pets.

You should prepare a disaster kit for your pets just as you prepare one for yourself. Your dog or cat should have a collar with a current license. Consider having an identification chip implanted in your pet. The following list of items is the minimum that you should have for each animal.

• Copies of current veterinary records
• Extra dishes for food and water
• A minimum 3-day supply of food and water
• An extra supply of medications
• Current photographs and records and other identification
• A portable carrier
• Leashes and a rope to construct a temporary dog run
• Favorite toys
• Bedding material
• Shelter from inclement weather

If you would like further information for surviving a disaster, get Survive Disaster! A CD with over 600 megabytes of text, pictures, checklists, multi-media and website links.

Copyright 2006 Phillip Nunemacher

Phillip Nunemacher is co-author of Survive Disaster! and trained in disaster preparedness by the US Air Force. To learn more about him you will find his blog at http://muttersandmusing.blogspot.com/

You can purchase Survive Disaster! at Quail Publishing.