Preparing for a future emergency may seem unimportant, but disaster can strike at any minute, and it’s important to be prepared. If you have pets, it can be even harder to plan.

Here are a few things to check off your list when preparing your family and your pet for a future disaster:

• Make sure to find a place to evacuate that allows pets. Some emergency shelters don’t allow pets for public health reasons. Be sure to know which hotels/motels in your evacuation area allow pets.
• Make sure to bring pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, a cat litter/pan, a manual can opener, food dishes, and a first aid kit. Consider making a pet survival kit before an emergency situation so that it will be easy to grab and go.
• Keep your pets identification tags up to date, and make sure your pet’s collar is on snugly. Also make sure that you have a current photo of your pet for easier identification purposes.
• Last, but not least, make sure you have a leash and/or carrier for your pet, so that he/she can’t escape in a panic.