Thursday, October 4, 2012

How To Build Your Own Pet Survival Kits

By Shawna Trujillo


Pet survival kits are something that every family should have on hand. Emergency situations happen all the time. Most people make plans and set up an emergency kit for their family, but forget the animals. Pets are important, too, yet most people are not prepared to care for their pet in or after a disaster.

After a quake, flood or tornado, you could be waiting for several days for help to show up. When help does arrive, rescue teams will usually be equipped to remove people from the situation, but not animals. It is very difficult for pet owners to leave their pets.

A three day supply of food and water is standard for humans and many people prepare for emergencies by having this stashed away. It is the same deal for pets. You need to keep supplies on hand for your animals to make it for at least 72 hours, as well. It is quite simple to build your own pet survival kits.

To prepare your own emergency kid, it is a good idea to keep everything in a hard sided case to prevent any damage to the contents. Everything should be kept in good condition. It is also important to be able to access the kit easily and in many cases, it is advised to keep it outdoors, where it is still accessible, even if structures are destroyed.

Water is extremely vital in keeping animals alive and most will die within a few days without the precious liquid. Keep a container for water in the kit, perhaps a folding bowl, so that you can always provide fresh water for your pets. A gallon is a good amount of water to have on hand per day, per pet, but the amount they drink will depend greatly on size.

As long as they have water, animals can survive for some time without food. However, many pet owners assume their critter will be able to hunt and forage and this is simply not true. Animals that have been kept inside most of their lives and especially cats that are declawed will have issues with being outdoors and finding food. Keep enough food on hand to last for at least 3 days. Cans of food are always a good option and will need to be replaced twice a year with fresher food. Dry cat and dog food is usually good for three months or so, when kept in airtight conditions. It will also need to be replaced on a regular basis.

If your pet requires medications, keep some extras on hand, as well. This is another supply that should be switched out for fresh meds every so often. Make note of the expiration dates and replace several weeks beforehand. You may also want to include first aid supplies designed for animals.

Even if your pet wears a collar, add an extra one to the kit. Include a method of restraint, as well, such as rope, a leash, etc. Even the best behaved creatures can be upset by a disaster and try to take off. Use the restraints to keep them nearby.

No matter what the emergency, you need to provide for everyone, including your pets. Keep pet survival kits near your family survival pack and ensure that everyone has a chance to make it after a disaster. With food and water, everyone can stay safe and healthy until help arrives.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment