What’s a “go bag”? The dictionary says it’s “a bag packed with survival supplies and kept ready for use in case of an emergency that requires rapid evacuation.” If you have pets, your pets need go bags because if you’re evacuated, you will likely take your pets with you.
I asked friends online the question, “What’s in your pet’s go bag?”
I inquired: “Why do you have a go bag for your pet? Your experiences in the past—evacuations for fire, flood, earthquake, etc.—tell us what happened and how you did!
“What pets did you take with you? How did they do? How do you deal with your pet’s food when you’re evacuated? How about your pet’s meds? Stock up ahead, take written or electronic prescriptions? And how do you find veterinary care when you’re not near home?”
I also added: “Please share your suggestions for other pet guardians who want to plan wisely for emergencies.” Here are some of their responses.
Eden Halbert (California) I live in a wildfire-prone area. I keep laminated checklists in the stand next to my front door with what to take if you have 5 minutes or 30 minutes. But for “run out the door” emergencies during our long fire season, I have a go bag that includes stuff for my two dogs and myself. For the dogs, it includes vaccination and microchip records on paper (also stored digitally), a small pet first-aid kit, collars with tags, leashes, collapsible silicone bowls, water, food. Bottled water and emergency slip leads are always in my vehicle. Additionally, I board dogs in my home, so I keep copies of the records for dogs staying with me pulled out on my desk so they can be grabbed in seconds: they contain info on medical/vaccines, diet, and owner and emergency contacts. I have not had to evacuate yet (and I would do so on the early side of any recommendations), but there was one fire when I pre-loaded my vehicle with go bags and extra water, and kept everyone ready while I was glued to emergency-scanner radio traffic.
Jamie Robinson (Florida) Tampa Bay does get hit occasionally. The emergency was a hurricane. Normally, I would go to my daughter’s house, but she was also under an evacuation order. So we loaded up the car and took off north. The dogs were all used to doing two-day–long car trips, so adding a few days didn’t bother them. Extra collar and leash, booties just in case, paper towels, wet wipes, spray cleaner, treats, water, water dish, pliers (I lived in the desert for a long time—thorns), one week’s dog food per dog, two foldable crates, a couple of long lines, poop bags, retractable flirt pole and a couple of tugs, more water. I like having my own water; Florida water tastes like an alligator pissed in it.
Frances Dauster (Alabama) Three dogs: vaccination records with photos, tug/toss toy (wubba), three cans of food with pop tops, three leashes, three martingale collars, long line (biothane, neon), poop bags, a collapsible water bowl, paper towels in a zip bag, a couple of plastic trash bags, a couple of potty pads, alprazolam, paper bowls for feeding, a tug toy, business cards, ID, Neosporin, single-use eye drops, vet wrap, freeze-dried treats, and hairclip (for me!). Water bottle as size comparison.
Photo by Frances Dauster
Stephanie Presdee (United Kingdom) A legal requirement in Spain was my adapted first-aid kit in a car and, of course, water, bowls, a car fan and a blade for cutting seat belts, and towels/poop bags. We still do that in UK and they all have ID collars/tags on as per the 1992 dog law. We do not live in a flood or tornado area, but when we were in Spain, we had cat boxes by all the catteries, fire extinguishers, crates and spare leads for boarders, and emergency notices/collecting points. We feed raw frozen, but we can get any substitute for our dogs that they would eat. (Shows is another story … kitchen sink! Training bag includes special toys, spare clickers.)
Amy Suggars (Ohio) My “go bag” is not my “training bag”! The go bag for my dog has food, bottled water, bowls, several leashes, extra collar, ID tags (including rabies tag), vet records, first aid kit, poop bags, waterless shampoo, cash, play toy, retrieving toy, and treats. My go bag for my cat has food, water, non-breakaway collar, leash, treats, and toys. My cat go bag is kept inside the dog go bag and they are stuffed into a cat carrier. We fortunately have not been evacuated, but have hunkered down in the basement during tornado season.
Glenda Lee (Maine) I keep rabies certificates, leashes, long lines, and harnesses in the car as well as dishes for food and water. Their bag includes supplements, food, water, and heartworm and flea and tick preventative. When we lived in danger areas, I kept the RV fully stocked with everything for human and critters. The cat has a soft crate and a screen house. I also keep one of those throw-away pre-filled litter boxes under the seat.
Joseph Sullivan (Washington) As a person in a wheelchair, I have had to think through a wide variety of scenarios. True, it’s for my cat but may help disabled people. First off, in grabbable distance of my bed is a fire extinguisher, collapsible pet carrier, and a window-break tool (I have also removed the screen). Food, blankie/bed, extra ID tag and my girl.
Nichola Walker (United Kingdom) [I’m] in Ireland. We didn’t worry about it until they evacuated large parts of Scotland last year due to flooding. Cat go bag: carrier that she’s comfortable and happy in, five days worth of food and water, Lickelicks because that will make the whole thing easier, vet records, basic pet first-aid kit. The frog? I’m not even sure how you would start.
Jill Gibbs (Montana) Most everything is in the van already. Crates, leashes, bowls. Their food is in bins next to the garage door and easily transported. Bottled water is easily moved to the van as well. Their “traveling cloaks” and collars with tags are always in the van.
Erin Saywell (Indiana) More like my “go van”! I always have a stash of food/water/treats/chews, plus each dog has a crate of their own with bedding and a water bucket. In an emergency, they can/will run to the van and find their crate and get in … except for the littles, who need a lift to the second or third stories. I always have a zillion leashes, collars, slip leads in there. Plus towels, first-aid kit, bland diet in case of someone being sick. In the summer, I carry our dock-diving gear, a milk crate stuffed with lifejackets, and a bag with bumpers, sunscreen, hats for me, extra shoes, etc. The van is always ready to go.
Photo by Erin Saywell
Colette Kase (Mexico) We’ve lived in hurricane regions for nearly 20 years. There have been a few hurricanes for which evacuations were called but we didn’t evacuate. We chose to stay for our animals and to house other animals left behind, because we had built our house for that purpose. That doesn’t mean that we don’t take it seriously, especially for our dogs.
Here is the list I recommend: Make sure the dog has ID that is visually readable. Depending on the disaster, you may even wish to write your number in indelible ink on their belly. A microchip will not suffice. Take all meds and have a script from your vet in case you find yourself relocated and needing to get more. Take pee pads. You may find yourself holed up somewhere you cannot access outdoors. If your dog is on a special diet, take as much as you can. A collapsible bowl. Thermoses of water. A water purifier for you and your dog. Towels. First-aid kit. Identifiable photos of your dog. Instructions you keep on you in case you are injured or killed on what to do about your dog, and an action plan for that outcome. Include information about your dog’s medical and dietary needs.
Most importantly, have a plan. Know where you will go and leave before your options are limited. Make sure your will includes care for your dog.
If you don’t have a go bag for your pet, why not start now, with a list of what you want to include? Make a list and make a plan. Update your pet’s go bag—fresh food, fresh water, recent ID, photos, prescriptions—often enough that its contents will be current whenever you have the need. Better safe than sorry!
