Hurricane Katrina provided us with a valuable example of how important cat care in an emergency or disaster really is. There were cats and pets of all types stranded, injured and killed as a result of poor planning by their owners. Your cat depends on you to take care of them in every situation so don’t let them down by not preparing.

In the hustle and bustle of an emergency, people often forget about preparing for their pets. Cat care in an emergency or disaster is just as important as care for anything else, including yourself. If you have to evacuate for whatever reason, then you need to either take your cat with you or take them to a shelter. The American Red Cross often will provide temporary housing for your animals in the event you cannot take them with you.

First of all, if you have to evacuate to a shelter, then your pet cannot always come with you because of health codes and things to that effect. That means you will have to find a shelter like the one I mentioned before. It is vital that your pet have their shots updated at all times of the year, otherwise the temporary shelter may not accept them. Part of cat care in an emergency or disaster is being prepared.

You should consider assembling a kit for cat care in an emergency or disaster. This kit should include a carrier, medications, food, water, a can opener, a list of problems your cat may have, emergency numbers, vet numbers and last but not least, toys. This will ensure you have everything together in the event you have to leave quickly and drop your pet off somewhere.

Cats often roam, more so than dogs. At the first sign of a situation approaching, you need to keep your cat in the house. You don’t want them to get left behind because you could not find them; you may never see them again if this happens.

Remember, it is crucial that you are prepared in any situation as a pet owner. Different cats react differently to stressful situations. If you plan on taking your pet with you, remember that you could be in a car for hours before you get to a destination. Bring along all the necessary items your kitty will need. Planning ahead cannot be stressed enough. Cat car in an emergency or disaster should not be taken lightly so be as prepared as possible.