Why You Need An Emergency Dog List NOW!
Why you need an Emergency List for your Dog NOW and get your List FREE!
We want the best for our pets and bake organic treats, built enrichment activity boxes, go on long walks and go on doggy play dates. But what if we can’t be around? To ensure that your doggy is best cared for in the case that you are not around, have a Dog Emergency List!
I first came across a Pet Emergency List as part of an Emergency Kit when cat sitting my friends precious house tiger a few years ago. I was stunned by how detailed she thought through all eventualities and emergencies I could ever encounter with her pet, and I’m sure not only did she feel at peace of mind when she left her little kitty with me, but I felt so much more comfortable once I went through the manual and felt prepared for anything that could possibly happen during my cat sitter job. I was a dog sitter for a while, but a cat was a new challenge then. I even knew what to do if her building was on fire and I had to evacuate with Minty.
In the following post I will explain why you need an emergency list, what situations require one especially, and what you should include in your emergency list (don’t forget to download your FREE basic emergency list below!).
When will I need a Pet Emergency List?
You will need an Emergency List with helpful instructions for caregivers or first responders in the event of a Natural Catastrophe like Flooding, Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake etc. or if you are injured in an accident. In the event that you unexpectedly die in an accident, you want to make sure you have an Emergency Pet List so that your pet will be taken care of in the same way you would do. If you travel and have a pet sitter, even if it’s a friend, you will want clear instructions in place to comfort yourself and your dog sitter for a safe environment for your pet.
Your Dog and Natural Catastrophes
We hope it will never come to it but in case of a Hurricane, Tornado, Flooding or Fire, you want to make sure you have all important information about your pet in one spot. This way, in the event that either you can’t care for your pet or you are separated, you can count on your pet being cared for in the best way possible.
In the event of a natural catastrophe, it is essential that you have a picture of your dog in your records to prove ownership and also to be able to show around, in the unthinkable event that your pet gets lost in the chaos. This photo needs to be printed because you might not be able to rely on your phone, electricity or social media accounts. No use for me to say, my dog is Missykeo on IG if I can’t access the internet.
Read more about this and your Dog Emergency Kit in my post about Hurricane preparedness with your dog, which covers other emergencies as well.
Important in Natural Catastrophes: Have a Photo of your pet! Printed AND on your Phone!
What happens with your dog if you’re injured in an accident?
How fast it can happen, a drunk driver, you didn’t pay attention, we hate to think of the possibility, but we need to be realistic: We could be in a serious car accident any time. Depending on your family situation, it may take a while until it is discovered that you have a pet waiting for you at home. If you are impaired and can’t tell people, it is highly important people find out quickly. In this case, having a pet notification card is worth gold! When checking for your ID, people will find your card that says your pet is alone at home and help can be send.
My cards have an extra person to be notified just for my pet. My friend will then take care of Missy, and make sure she is taken good care of (with all the info on my emergency list) until I can hopefully make it back home.
What happens to your pet if you die?
How fast are we from an accident to sudden death? Nothing can prepare us for that, but imagine your dog is left at home alone and no one knows about it. Take all the steps above and make sure your dog receives the best and most loving care.
In our case, my local friend is the first person to contact if anything happened to us, she knows to then contact my mother. Missy will stay in our family and move to Germany should anything ever happen to us.
For further legal options and legal wills, please contact a lawyer and check out NOLO.com.
Important if you are in an accident or die: Have an Emergency Card in your Wallet! (included in the FREE Emergency List Download here)
Who will take care of your dog when you’re travelling?
Haven’t we all been in the last-minute travel situation. A friend needs us, we got a cheap ticket, or the gods just gifted us a round trip to Bermuda. No prep time! But we do have the friend that can take the dog, don’t worry about it. If you have your emergency list, you don’t have to have a big handover. Hand over the leash with your dog folder and all is well.
Your Dog Sitter needs an Emergency List
Often, we don’t know the dog sitter too well. To feel better about leaving our pooch in the hands of an acquaintance at best, an emergency list with all important information is the little piece of mind that will make you feel more at ease. Many Pet Sitting agencies will go through all this information with you when they file your record for the first time. Even better to have everything handy right away.
Why you should have a Dog Emergency List
Unthinkable things can happen and if you are not prepared, it can be worse than if you just took 10 minutes before hand to prep for all eventualities. Reasons you need an emergency list are: If we were to be in an accident and unable to tell people our dog is at home, if we are away and can’t get home and someone else needs to access our apartment or house, if we die or if we’re just on vacation.
Having a Dog Emergency List will make sure whoever will take care of your dog has all the information needed to provide your pet with all the love, care and supplies needed to be happy, even when you’re not there. Make sure you download your Emergency list here.
What should be on your Dog Emergency List:
A Photo of your pet,
Pet’s Name
Breed, color, spayed, neutered?
Chip No.
Your Name
Your Phone Number
A secondary and ideally tertiary phone number of someone that is unlikely to travel with you
Vet Information (Animal Hospital)
Medical instruction (even if it’s just the heartworm tablets, this should be noted!), Allergies?
Sleeping and Dog Walk preferences of your pet
Important Commands you use. (Our Emergency Command, for Missy to come back immediately is on that list!)
Allowed on Sofas?
Good with cats?
Vet instructions,
Vaccines records attached, don’t forget your rabies vaccine confirmation!
attached adoption records if applicable
And even If it sounds horrible: Euthanasia instructions or designate a person to make such a decision (imagine you’re on a remote island, not reachable, your dog got hit by a car under the care of the dog sitter, and someone needs to make a decision about your pet’s life, this is not only a financial but also ethical burden). In my case, my emergency contact person knows my mother and or sister will make such a decision, if necessary.
Evacuation instructions. In case you have a special carrier for your pet, indicate so.
Once you fill out the basic Emergency form and have given thought to all these points, you will feel prepared instantly. Make sure you place an Emergency card in your wallet, for extra preparedness and have an Emergency sign to place in your window handy when needed (all found in my freebie to download here!)
Be prepared for the moments your aren’t…
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