The devastation caused by the recent hurricanes has been horrendous. Videos of animals being rescued in the midst of disaster have surfaced and resurfaced across the internet in the aftermath. Many animal lovers wonder how people could leave behind their four-legged family members in such terrible circumstances and still others wonder why there doesn't seem to be resources set aside specifically for this cause.

Did you know, though, that states have to have standards for evacuating animals in the instance of disaster in order to receive federal aid funding in the disaster’s wake? It’s called the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act.

The PETS Act, enacted in 2006, is an amendment to the Stafford Act, which is the law that determines how the federal government, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), can assist local and state governments in the event of a natural disaster. In fact, it was Hurricane Katrina that caused the amendment to the Stafford Act and made the government see the importance of animals to families.

Unfortunately for many evacuating families, local resources are simply not adequate enough to assist all the potential animal evacuees. To compound the problem, many rescue organizations have liability and health concerns that prevent them from permitting people to be housed with their pets. When evacuating for a disaster, there is no guarantee you will be able to return to retrieve your pet, so planning ahead is a vital step in ensuring not only the safety of your entire family, including the four-legged members, but also a quicker and safer evacuation.

What can you do?

FEMA’s emergency preparedness site gives details on how to make an evacuation plan that incorporates your pets. These include finding a pet-friendly shelter, knowing of pet boarding facilities in surrounding areas, and microchipping your pet.

In the event that you cannot be sheltered with your pet at evacuation shelters, knowing of a pet-friendly hotel or other pet-friendly accommodations in the area and within potential evacuation areas can help ensure you won’t have to leave your pet’s side.

Microchipping is a preemptive option. It is a quick shot given by your veterinarian that inserts a tracking chip under the skin between your furry family member’s shoulder blades. Once you receive the paperwork for that particular chip, you can register your pet with that company. If you are separated from your pet and someone happens across it, they can take the pet to a veterinarian to be scanned.

Once your pet is scanned, your contact information will pop up, and voila! You can be reunited with your beloved four-legged companion. The biggest risk here is if you have more than one pet, make sure you register the correct pet to their respective chip. Keep in mind, too, the best contact number for you, be that a cell phone or a trusted individual from outside your neighborhood and always update the information when needed.

While finding pet-friendly shelter and microchipping are great preparation measures, there is no better form of preparation than creating a grab-and-go kit.

Create a grab-and-go kit

Sure, it can be difficult, especially on a tight budget, to hold these items for emergency only, but it is entirely worth it. You won’t want to be out of the essentials in the event of a natural disaster as you’re hurrying your family away from home to evacuate.

So, what should you have prepared for your pet(s)?

1. At least a three-day supply of food
2. At least a three-day supply of water (A case of water bottles would be great here, especially since they don’t expire.)
3. Medical records
4. Important documents, such as registrations, adoption papers and microchip information. (These can help to prove your pet is yours if you get separated.)
5. First aid supplies
6. Veterinarian information
7. Pet carrier (This is for safety purposes. You don’t want your freaked-out pet roaming free in the car. It also makes moving locations easier.)
8. Collars, leashes and harnesses (This is also important for cats, as they tend to be squirmier than dogs.)
9. Waste and sanitation supplies (Waste bags for dogs, litter and litter box for cats.)
10. A picture of your pet and a photo of you and your pet together. (This is so important. If you and your pet get separated, this is how you can not only show people what your pet looks like, but it’s another way to prove they are your pet).
11. Toys, treats, bedding and any other items familiar to your pet. (If you have anything with your scent on it, this can also help by providing a sense of calm and familiar smell to your pet).

Ready.gov provides a printable kit list to help you create your own kit as well as “shareables.” This site will help you get a good idea of what to pack in the “go bag.”

Most important, though, is to ensure your grab-and-go kit is custom to your pet. Do not pack food your pet does not normally eat, as this can cause an upset stomach, especially in an already stressful situation. If your pet tends to hide at the first sign of trouble, be aware of this and know their hiding spots so you can retrieve them easier when evacuation comes.

Final thoughts

Society (mostly) accepts that pets are family members. Evacuating with pets can be just as stressful as evacuating with people, and what’s more, the loss of an animal can be just as heartbreaking as losing a loved human.

Our pets know when we are stressed and they will reflect that stress. They will hide and they will not want to move away from what is familiar. Try to stay as calm as possible because that will make evacuation all the easier.

As humans, we always plan for the worst case scenario. It’s time we incorporate our pets into that plan.