Be Prepared for Disasters
No matter where you live, natural disasters can happen without warning. From tornadoes to floods to forest fires, we’ve seen it all and have helped cats that are affected by those extreme situations. The best thing to do for the cats you care for is have a plan in case a natural disaster does strike.
Remember: Community cats are resourceful. The outdoors is their home, so they know how to deal with weather. Animals often can sense when bad weather is coming and move to higher ground and safe places instinctually. However, there are still things you can do both ahead of time and during emergencies to help outdoor cats and your own cats.
How to Prepare and Keep Cats Safe in a Disaster
1. Cat Identification
Have descriptions of your own cats and the community cats you care for, along with photos. Alley Cat Allies’ cat identification guide and worksheet can help you accurately describe and record your cats’ physical characteristics.
If you need to look for displaced cats in shelters or other rescue areas, this information will help you accurately identify them. Make sure all ID tags and microchips have up-to-date information.
2. Back-up Cat Caregiver
Enlist a back-up caregiver who is responsible for the community cats in your absence and network with other community cat caregivers in your area to set up a buddy system to create a safety net of care for the cats. You may be able to find other cat caregivers in your area through our Feral Friends Network.
3. Emergency Contact Card
Make an emergency contact card for your own cats and community cat colonies in case you are not immediately available. Include all contact information for your substitute caregiver. Carry this card in your wallet and your car, give copies to your backup caregiver, and post it somewhere visible in your home like on the refrigerator.
4. List Local Animal Shelters
Make a list of local animal shelters and their contact information. You will need this information in case you need their help or resources.
5. Emergency Supply Kit
Keep an emergency supply kit on hand and know where to find it quickly.
What to Do When Harsh Weather is in the Forecast
- If appropriate, turn all openings for community cat shelters and feeding stations away from the storm surge or toward higher ground. If possible, move them to slightly higher, protected ground nearby.
- Fill multiple food and water bowls in case you have to evacuate and can’t return immediately.
- In general, don’t wait for evacuation orders to come before you leave the area.
If You Need to Evacuate
- Bring your pets with you, but do not try to trap and contain unsocialized (or feral) community cats.
- Determine a safe place to go ahead of time. Evacuation and Red Cross shelters do not usually accept pets. Make a list of pet-friendly hotels outside the evacuation zone. La Quinta and Motel 6 are two consistently pet-friendly chains. Check with family and friends. And lastly, have a list of pet boarding facilities that may be available during an emergency.
- Bring your emergency supply kits, as well as additional provisions to provide community cat colonies upon your return.
When It’s Safe to Return
- Begin cleaning up the colony area to remove any potential hazards for the cats. Check feeding stations and outdoor shelters for damage.
- Look for the cats in your colony. If any are missing, immediately:
- Determine which agencies, if any, are on the ground in your area assisting animals. Contact those organizations directly and provide a description of the cats you are missing. Determine how you can claim these cats if they are found.
- Contact your local animal shelters. Ask if they are trapping cats in your area, and determine how long they will hold feral cats. Animal shelters may experience a high volume of calls and influx of animals. For this reason, we advise that caregivers go to the shelters in person to find missing cats. Determine from shelter staff how you can claim your cats.
- Don’t panic if the cats aren’t waiting when you get back. Cats can hide for days after severe weather before returning to their colonies.
Emergency Supply Kits
We encourage pet owners to have a basic disaster supply kit ready at all times. The following items should be kept in an easily accessible and easy-to-carry backpack or duffel bag in case you need to evacuate quickly. Disaster kit basics for pets include:
- Pet first-aid kit
- Supply of prescription medications for pets. Always remember to rotate these out of your kit and keep track of expiration dates so you are not carrying around useless or old medication.
- Veterinary and microchip ID records for both pet and community cats
- Pet food (three to seven days’ worth; be sure to rotate out of your kit as needed) and dishes (the collapsible kind work well)
- Litter box and litter
- Leash and collar
- Crate or carrier; pillow case or other item in case you need to quickly grab your pet to leave
- Blankets or towels
- Photos of pets and cats in colonies in case they need to be identified
- Bottled water (seven-day supply per person and pet)
- Your disaster kit for the people in your family, which should include: flashlight and extra batteries; credit card and cash; copies of personal identification; a portable, solar- or battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries; an extra set of car keys; matches in a waterproof container; duct tape; extra clothing and shoes; extra medication and copies of insurance information; permanent marker; and an all-in-one tool like a Swiss army knife or Leatherman®.
Responding to a Disaster as a Volunteer
If you plan on responding to a disaster as a volunteer, we recommend transporting the following items that are always in demand during emergency animal rescue:
- Bottled water
- Dry and canned pet food and can openers
- Dog crates and carriers
- Humane cat traps
- Old towels, sheets, and blankets
- Leashes and collars
- Litter boxes
- Heavy gloves and protective clothing
- Lanterns and flashlights with batteries
- Portable generators
- Medical supplies:
- Bandages
- Sterile gauze pads
- Absorbent dressing
- Antiseptic
- Flea and tick repellents
- Instant cold packs
- Latex gloves
We hope these tips help you, your family, and your cats stay safe in emergencies.