Emergency Evacuation Plan for Cats

By Diana McKeon Charkalis

Carol Kroger, a Los Angeles realtor, has lived in southern California all her life. She's well aware of the many natural disasters -- from earthquakes to mudslides to fire -- that could potentially wreak havoc on her life, and the lives of her three cats: Pogo, Binky and Scooter.

That's why she has extra supplies of food and water on hand, and keeps three cat carriers by the door for easy access. "I worry all the time about what would happen to my cats in the case of a natural disaster," says Kroger. "But I'm just not sure what else I should do."

Kroger is not alone, says Tiffany Mahaffey, national disaster preparedness manager for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She says that although the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina heightened disaster-planning awareness for both people and pets, many cat owners don't have a well-thought-out emergency evacuation plan in place.

"Cats are more difficult [than dogs] to rescue because they're harder to find," Mahaffey explains. "They have a tendency to hide when they're fearful, which can result in a bad outcome." Although some people think that cats are independent and agile enough to survive on their own, that's just not the case, according to Mahaffey. "I wish that cats always landed on their feet, but they don't. Cats need their owners' help to survive."

To make sure your pet is prepared, take these important safety precautions before disaster strikes.

1. Get rescue alert stickers for your home These are free and available from the ASPCA and will inform rescue workers that pets are inside your home.

2. Make arrangements for a safe place to go Contact your veterinarian, local animal shelter, pet-friendly motels and/or friends and relatives outside of your immediate area to secure a safe haven for pets in the event of evacuation.

3. Create a cat-safety traveling kit This should include food, water, vaccination record and a first aid kit (along with any medications your cats take). "Tape a recent photo of you with your cat to your cat's crate, then label the crate with your name, address, cell phone number and other contact info," advises Mahaffey. Don't forget toys for your kitty, and a pillowcase or mesh bag called an "EvackSack" to allow for easier handling.

Once you've assembled your traveling kit, keep it up to date. "When you change the batteries in your smoke alarms, check to make sure your traveling kit is fully stocked and that none of the medications have expired."

4. Get the chip Mahaffey recommends that cats wear collars, and are equipped with identification microchips. This is, she says, for both indoor and outdoor cats. "Indoor cats need them, too," Mahaffey advises. Because Kroger's cats have a tendency to slip out of their collars, she had all three microchipped. "This gives me major peace of mind," she says.

5. Practice the plan When it comes to evacuation, planning ahead is crucial. "If you wait until the evacuation order is issued, it's too late," warns Mahaffey. "You need to be able to leave right away. Be cognizant of what you need, and store your crate and traveling kit in a place where you find them easily."

After you have an evacuation plan in place, do a practice run. As a result of hers, Mahaffey knows it takes exactly seven minutes to get her six dogs and two cats out of the house. "It's like having a family fire drill," she says.

Thinking ahead can go a long way to alleviating stress and giving you peace of mind. "All of this requires preparation, but if it saves your animals or helps reunite you with lost pets, it's worth all the effort," Mahaffey concludes.