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In January, my kitty Blanche was put on prescription food (which is a great thing because it’s helped her so much). But I realized that if (God forbid) there were an emergency requiring us to relocate quickly, I wouldn’t just be able to run out and grab food for her from the store.
Knowing this made me realize it was time to put together an emergency kit for us to grab on the way out the door. Of course, I hope we NEVER have to use it, but it gives me a little comfort knowing I’m prepared, just in case.
Aside from adding Blanche’s prescription food and medicine, I wasn’t sure what else I should include in my emergency kit. After a little bit of research, I’ve found the items that seem right for us and our situation, so I thought I’d share what’s in our kit in case you’re looking to build one of your own.
What should you put in an emergency kit?
Keep in mind that what goes in your kit depends on the type of emergency you’re preparing for. You may need a tent, survival supplies, bottled water, etc.
For Blanche and me, I put together a kit that would let us get to a hotel and stay there, using only the bare necessities until we could find a more permanent place or reach a store for additional supplies.
Every situation is different, so consider your needs; maybe you have different kits for different types of emergencies.
What’s in my emergency kit
Here’s what I’ve got in my bag:
Food and supplies for kitty Blanche: I packed a few days’ worth of her prescription food and meds, along with treats, and put it all in a giant zip-top bag. Blanche drinks straight from the faucet, so I didn’t need a bowl or anything (plus, hotels could supply any dishware needed).
I also got a portable litterbox for her and packed litter. Anything I packed is just enough for a few days, which would allow me time to place an order for more supplies. I wanted to avoid having a huge bag to lug around.
Of course, I’d take Blanche outside in her carrier (she has a SleepyPod). We have used it for emergencies in the past, and it serves as a carrier and a bed for her.
Identification and payment: To check into a hotel, I’d need an ID and a form of payment. I packed my passport and credit cards I don’t regularly use in case I don’t grab my purse on the way out the door.
Electronics: I packed a spare charging cord, a power block, and an external battery to make sure my cellphone stays charged. I actually had to order new charging cords because I didn’t have a spare one (I bought these, and they are really nice).
Personal items: I packed a mouth guard (a necessity for me) and some clean underwear. Of course, I considered packing toiletries, but a hotel will have the basics I need. It’s very unlike me to NOT pack these things, but I had to keep in mind that this is for an emergency, and that all that truly matters is that we get out quickly and safely, and have the bare minimum for survival.
Information: I have Blanche’s vet records on my phone; I’ve never had to show them when checking into a hotel with her, but just in case. I also made a list of nearby hotels that allow pets 🙂 I want to know exactly where we can go if we need to.
I also wrote down the expiration dates of my emergency items (credit cards, Blanche’s food, etc.) in my planner, so I know when to replace them.
…And that’s everything I’ve got in my emergency kit! It’s not much, but it’s something I can’t believe I didn’t consider before… but now I’m glad I have it.
Do you have an emergency kit? What types of things are in yours?
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