BOB for pets

I've not seen any mention of people having BoB for thier pets..
If you were to bug out with a pet what would you include in the pet's bag?

Some of this was discussed here

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showf...o=&vc=1

I have a very simple BOB ready to go. Included are fresh, unopened bags of their specific foods. I figure we can improvise containers. Can't improvise pet food.

-- Craig

I haven't put together this part of my plan yet, although I have thought about it. We have two cats, so this is what I've considered: about a week's supply of food and water, a small plastic bowl for food and one for water, a small cat litter pan with a bag a litter (bio-friendly pine stuff) and a cat carrier with a fuzzy blanket inside...maybe two for cold weather.

Just to add a question, but has anyone checked which, if any, of their local evacuation shelters will accept pets during an emergency? From anecdotal stories I have read about Katrina, many people did not evacuate when told to because they knew that pets were not welcome in shelters and were unwilling to leave them behind.

I read an article not long ago, about preparations for this year's hurricane season, where some jurisdictions have reconsidered their pet ban in light of Katrina, but it's not a simple change to make. Apparently any Red Cross-run shelters will not take pets as a matter of policy. And, I think by extension (but I don't know for sure), if people are already sheltering somewhere with pets, the Red Cross will not come in and set up relief operations there. Even with people from organizations like a local SPCA willing to host a separate pet shelter, many facillities, such as schools, will refuse to let them use their buildings. For example, due to concerns about pet dander in the ventilation system possibly causing health problems in sensitive children once school is back in session. It's a tricky change to make happen.

I don't remember where i read it or heard it but the federal goverment is now giving states money to do shelters that people can bring pets to .. due to Katrina and what happened to soo many people and animals. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

that is a good idea, also maybe collars on cats with id tags and get em microchipped. and also records of shots especially rabies proably would be a good idea also

I don't intend to depend on public shelters for several reasons, but my pets are the main one. Personally, I think shelters should be utilized by people who have no other options, not by every person with a new $40,000 pickup who is looking for a free handout.

If fewer able-bodied people with assets made plans for their own sheltering, the ones who really need sheltering might be able to get it. But if you need help, you probably don't need 18 large dogs, either.

Sue

Get a harness, sunglasses and a white cane...let a shelter try to turn away a service animal!

Of course the harness can be a little tricky on a cat or parrott...

But in response to Sue, if I could afford a $40K truck, I could probably afford to build my own underground bunker to ride out a storm... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

From what I can remember of what happened in New Orleans, city shelters are places to keep away from, dog or no dog. However it is a very awkward thing to have pets in shelters.

Not all dogs and cats are friendly to strangers, others can be a downright menace. Add to that, them being in an unfamiliar situation surrounded by strangers, who are probably scared. I see the potential for some very nasty situations. I might add that not all strangers are friendly to dogs either.

Lets face it, very few people take the time to train their dogs, let alone cats, and in the best circumstances they have a hard time controlling them.

Cages with cots next to them are the only options as far as I can see. Then you have the possibility of an owner letting the animal out and it going for a wander. Of course their darling would never hurt anyone!

In my opinion there are some very serious problems for the government to resolve before animals are allowed in shelters.

I think I would just make up a BOB for my shepherd and Bug Out!

I would rather shelter in a friend's house any day than a shelter, if you have a pet I recomend you make friends in other states who you can stay with in an emergency. It is a good thing to add to your preparedness list FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />




As far as things I would include:

Water would be good, also any meds that the pets may be on; our pets aren't as healthy as they used to be (must be not enough raw rabbits!)

Also booties for their feet, if you have to hoof it over rough ground, most pets pads aren't conditioned to hard long treks.

Get a little back pack for you dog (they make them) and have it carry it's own stuff.

Treats would be a good thing, they are great for getting the little guys attention when needed and also for rewarding them when they are good.

Carry a dog wistle and train your pet to respond to it. You may need them to come to you fast and from a distance, sometimes your voice just doesn't do it.

Some kind of baton would be good too, or pepper spray, in case of other animals attacking your pet (it can happen).

It is important to include a favorite toy to keep them occupied and for them to vent their frustrations on.

Very good advice Macgyver. Especially a good tip on the booties, my Golden Retriever (7mos. old, 55 lbs.) I adopted over 3 weeks ago never had his dew claws removed. Booties would be a solution to that if he was on rough terrain, no?

I think most booties come with griping pads on the bottom. Dew claws are only the rear claws on the inside, and are not used for anything. And are often removed to stop them catching on stuff. Your dog should still be able to grip quite well with the other 18 claws.

Macgyver, I guess I wasn't clear enough. What I was wondering was, would the booties protect the dew claws from snagging on brush and the like? If he was a puppy I would, but call me a softy, I'm reluctant to having his dew claws "amputated," since he is already over halfway grown. He should top out at about 80 to 90 lbs. I'm not going to "run" him, as they say around here, anyway, just wondering if I should get booties in case of bugging out scenario with him.

The booties probably would protect his dewclaws as long as the fastener came up high enough to go over them. The only problem might be if your dog's dewclaws are the big double-ugly ones. Those are the ones most susceptible to being ripped while running through brush.

If he rips one and has to go to a vet for repair, ask to have the other one removed, too. Under anesthesia is better than out on a day hike, with the blood pouring out and you with nothing to bandage it with. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sue

Front dew claws are not useless actually. Sophie, the dog in my avatar, would use hers to great effect gripping things, like a little thumb. Rear dew claws on the other hand do not have a purpose.

I would not remove the front dew claws of my dog(s), regardless of age. You wouldn't remove someone's thumb because it *could* get hurt, would you?

That said, the booties probably would work, but also keep in mind that you could probably just wrap a little bit of cloth tape around that part of the foot, keeping the dew claw out of harms way.

Booties are both good and bad. Make sure you get your dog used to them because they can take some getting used to. It probably also hinders their agility. But, on sharp, rough surfaces you'll absolutely want them.

Also, perhaps on hot surfaces.

To make it easier for your dog to get used to the booties, put them on right before something fun. They tend to forget about the booties much easier that way. Also, don't laugh at them (seriously).

Also keep in mind that your dog sweats through it's pads and prologed trecking in boots might hasten heat exaustion as they don't sweat over their full skin like we do.

Also, be careful of dog packs. Dogs really aren't built to carry much "backpack" style like humans. I would avoid puting much weight there.

Many packs (and harnesses) chafe, often in the 'arm pits', when used much and could be considered similar to ill fitting boots on humans. As with the booties, the key is to find out what works and what doesn't, as well as getting used to them *before* you are in an emergency situation.

-john


You can see some dew claw action in this picture if you look closely.

Well said John, thanks for clarifying those points.

The size of the pack will depend on the size (and fitness) of the dog. I wouldn't use one on a small dog, however a lab or shepherd sized dog can easily handle a few days food and their little extras on their back.

I suspect that before we started to interfere with the breeding of dogs the rear dew claws may have been very useful, my dog uses his front ones for everything too.

I had my 11 month old dog's dewclaws removed when I had her fixed. She was already going to be under anesthesia anway. She came through it just fine. We got her as a stray so we were unable to have it done when she was younger.