Every family benefits from having an emergency safety plan; this plan must include your pets!

You are responsible for their safety and well-being. Pets often sense disasters before they happen and can become confused, agitated and fearful. During fire season, be on the alert for this type of behavior and secure your pet as soon as possible to prevent them from running off in panic.

Just as with your family’s emergency supply kit, pet owners should also have a pet survival kit. The State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends the following tips for assembling your pet’s survival kit:

Pet Survival Kit Checklist

• Food, water and medicine(s) for five days.

• Medical and veterinary records in a waterproof container. Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will need records to verify all vaccinations are current.

• First aid kit.

• ID your pet. Make sure your pet’s tags are up to date and securely fastened; if lost, this is their ticket home! Also consider microchipping your pets.

• Crate or other pet carrier. Carriers should be large enough to house your pet comfortably for several hours.

• A current photo of you and your pet together. This will aid in locating your pet if lost and also in establishing ownership.

• Familiar items. These will help to reduce stress.

• Special feeding, exercise or medication instructions.

• Sanitary supplies.

For more information, please visit the Ready.gov website at: www.ready.gov/animals.