If you have a dog or a cat, your emergency plan has one more member. Seventeen of the 24 national guides we compiled list pet food and water, and several go much further. Sweden's guide says you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet in a crisis or war. Poland's says the owner is responsible for evacuating their animals.
Food and water
- Food for the full period. Sweden asks pet owners to keep supplies for at least a week. Poland suggests food, water and medicines for several days. Keep your pet's usual food: a sudden change of diet can upset their stomach just when you don't need it.
- Water. Count your animals in your water stock. Sweden suggests keeping dry food and water in storage containers.
- Bowls, which Slovakia lists, and a can opener if the food comes in tins without ring pulls.
Medicines and papers
- Any medicines your pet takes, with spares. Sweden and Poland both list them.
- Health records and proof of vaccination, kept together (Poland). Slovakia lists the pet passport.
- Your vet's phone number on paper, your pet insurance details and your pet's ID number (Sweden).
- A recent photo of your pet, in case you get separated.
Keep copies in a waterproof pouch with your own documents.
Identification
Poland recommends microchipping your pet and registering it in a public database, and attaching your contact details to the collar or harness. If you're separated during an evacuation, these are what bring your animal back to you. Check that the details registered to the chip are up to date.
A carrier and the gear to move them
Poland lists a muzzle, collar, harness, lead and a carrier or cage. Sweden and Slovakia list a carrier too. For cats, a carrier is essential: a frightened cat in your arms is very hard to hold. For dogs, a spare lead and a muzzle mean you can take them on public transport or into a shelter where rules may be strict.
Get your cat used to the carrier now, by leaving it open with a blanket inside. It is much easier than chasing a stressed cat on the day.
A pet grab bag
If you have to leave quickly, you won't have time to gather everything. Pack a small bag, or a section of your own grab bag, with:
- Food and water for two or three days, and a collapsible bowl
- Medicines
- Copies of health records and vaccination proof
- Lead, harness and muzzle
- Poo bags, or litter and a small tray for a cat
- A familiar blanket or toy
If you have to evacuate
Take your pet with you whenever you can. Poland asks owners to prepare animals for evacuation before a flood. Your municipality is the place to ask how evacuation with animals works locally.
If you really must leave a pet at home, Sweden's advice is to leave extra food and water, as long as the animal can cope with free access to food.
Sheltering with pets
- In an air raid, Sweden says you may bring your pet to protective places such as cellars, garages and metro stations. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed in Swedish civil defence shelters.
- In a chemical leak, Slovakia says to feed your pets, give them water and shut them in their carriers before you shelter indoors.
Heat and cold
- Never leave a pet in a parked car in hot weather. Slovakia's heatwave advice says this for children and animals alike, and asks owners to give pets enough water and shade.
- In frost and storms, Slovakia asks you to protect pets from the cold and keep them secure.
- In a winter power cut, keep your pet in the warm room with you.
A tip for the toilet
Cat litter is useful even without a cat. Poland suggests it, along with soil or sawdust, for controlling the smell of a makeshift toilet when there's no water to flush. If you have a cat, buy an extra bag. Our post on a water supply cut explains how.
Other animals
If you keep horses or livestock, Poland suggests feed and water for 14 days and marking the animals. Sweden points owners to its Board of Agriculture at jordbruksverket.se.
Our checklist lets you add pets to your household so they're counted in the food and water stock.