If you are not familiar with the basics of PREPPING - or being prepared then do these things NOW. Please add to this information to help our frens!

PETS

Organise a carrier or bug-out-bag for your pets NOW. If you need to flee, all you need to do is grab this and your pet/s and go.

• SPARE COLLAR and LEASH, a HARNESS, MUZZLE RETRACTABLE LEASH - this includes cats, ferrets, rabbits etc.
• A fold up water bowl. An unopened bottle of water. While most are horrified at putting a muzzle on a dog, if they are injured, they may want to bite the closest to them due to pain. Get them used to this now. Same as a body harness for a cat etc. Get them used to it ASAP.
• There are many backpacks with pet carry sections incorporated into them. Search under Dog Carrier Backpacks - hands-free dog/cat/rabbit carrier backpack. Make sure they have a lead and collar on at all times and it’s secured firmly on yourself.
• Dry biscuits. Cans are too heavy. Keep some biscuits in their carrier and in other places. Get large dogs used to carrying their food, water, bedding etc. via a dog saddle bag.
• MEDS. In fact, leave their meds in this carrier even if you are not in any emergency situation. Also flea and tick medication. Keep one in their bug-out-bag. Get their shots updated NOW.
• A copy of ALL their shot certificates, adoption certificates, ownership papers etc. secured firmly in their bag.
• This is important. A current picture of you and family members with your pet. Why? In a SHTF scenario people will attempt to steal a pet. Without that photo ownership is near impossible. Laminate copies and keep one secured on/in the carrier at all times. Keep others with your own personal papers and a mini one - cc size in your wallet.
  • Does your dog bark? This could be a problem if your are trying to minimise your stealth camping location. I have no idea what is available to pet owners, but look into that now.
• DO NOT go into any FEMA etc camps with your pet. They will separate you. You need to find an area safe of a large population and a small lightweight floored tent will keep you and family dry, but together. Or, Seek out a hotel/farm/holiday house/camp ground BEFOREHAND that will take animals. This can change in a moment so try to be independent and don’t threaten anyone if they decline your animals if youn threaten them with discrimination laws, in an emergency situation most laws will be suspended.
• Be a ‘grey person’. Don’t stand out. Wear ‘darker clothes’ and dress young children similar. You don’t want hot pinks or lime greens on your children. If you have to move thru densely populated areas to reach a rural safety spot, if you have two adults and two children, don’t walk with pets in a bunch. Each adult take a child but stay close by and don’t communicate unless you have to, to make it to that secure location. Parents can adopt some sort of signals beforehand but stay in eye sight at all times.
• While you may have never put a muzzle, a harness, a lead on your pet before, they will pick up on your fears etc. and will be stressed. A frightened cat will claw their way out of your arms if in unfamiliar circumstances and the last thing you need is looking for a terrified pet or coping with a little one as you have to leave their beloved pet behind. Times are changing rapidly. I would love the board to add ideas because none of us have been in these situations. Pets are family and we need to protect them and preparing now takes that stress off everyone.