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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Emergency Preparedness for Pet Owners

Small animal evacuation kit

The following  lists will help you prepare an evacuation kit for your animal(s) in the event of a disaster. Assemble the kit in easy-to-carry, waterproof containers. Store it in an easily accessible location away from areas with temperature extremes. Replace the food, water, and medications as often  as needed to maintain quality  and freshness and in accordance with expiration dates. If medications are stored elsewhere due  to temperature requirements (refrigeration), indicate the name  of the medication and its location. Consult  your veterinarian for advice on making  an animal evacuation kit and a first aid kit appropriate for your animals.   Become familiar with the items  in your kit and how they  are used  before you need to use them.  Your veterinarian may recommend an animal first aid book  to include  in your kit. Consult your veterinarian regarding emergency first aid procedures and administration of medications.

  • 2-week supply of food  (dry & canned)
  • 2-week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs with secure lids 
  • Batteries (flashlight, radio) 
  • Cage/carrier (one  for each animal, labeled with your contact information) 
  • Can opener (manual) 
  • Cat/wildlife gloves
  • Copies  of veterinary records and proof  of ownership
  • Emergency contact list 
  • Familiar items  to make  pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets)
  • First aid kit (see  next  page) 
  • Flashlight 
  • Instructions 
    • Diet: record the diet for each individual animal, including what not to feed  in case of allergies.
    • Medications: list each animal separately, and for each medication include the drug name, dose and frequency. Provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills. 
  • Leash and collar or harness (for each  animal)
  • Litter, litter pan, litter scoop
  • Maps of local area  and alternate evacuation routes in addition to GPS (in case  of road  closures)
  • Muzzles (dog or cat) 
  • Newspaper (bedding, litter)
  • No-spill food  and water dishes
  • Paper towels
  • Radio (solar and battery operated) 
  • Spoon (for canned food) 
  • Stakes and tie-outs
  • Trash bags

Small animal first aid kit

Consult  your veterinarian when  developing a first aid kit. The items  below  serve  only as examples of what may be included in a small animal first aid kit.

  • Activated charcoal (liquid)
  • Anti-diarrheal liquid or tablets 
  • Antibiotic ointment (for wounds) 
  • Antibiotic eye ointment 
  • Bandage scissors 
  • Bandage tape 
  • Betadine® (povidone-iodine) or Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine), scrub and solution
  • Cotton bandage rolls
  • Cotton-tipped swabs 
  • Elastic bandage rolls 
  • Eye rinse (sterile) 
  • Flea and tick prevention and treatment
  • Gauze  pads and rolls
  • Ice cream sticks  (which  may be used  as splints)
  • Isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads
  • Latex gloves  or non- allergenic gloves 
  • Liquid dish detergent (mild wound and body cleanser) 
  • Measuring spoons 
  • Medications and preventatives (such as heartworm prevention), minimum 2-week supply with clearly labeled instructions. Provide veterinary and pharmacy contact information for refills. 
  • Non-adherent bandage pads
  • Saline solution (for rinsing wounds)  Sterile lubricant (water based) 
  • Styptic powder (clotting agent) 
  • Syringe  or eyedropper 
  • Thermometer (digital) 
  • Tourniquet 
  • Towel and washcloth
  • Tweezers