7 Steps to Prepare Your Cat for an Emergency

A few months ago, I received a text alert that felt like it belonged in a disaster movie: "Tsunami warning for San Francisco. Seek higher ground. Expect flooding."

The city hummed with anxiety—neighbors peering out windows, news anchors speaking in that practiced-but-urgent tone, my phone buzzing with worried messages. But as I stood paralyzed and imagined what might come next, my mind went straight to my cat.

Would I be ready to save her if the worst happened?

I realized, with that particular shade of guilt that only pet parents understand, that while I'd prepped for the usual San Francisco scenarios—earthquakes, power outages, Bay to Breakers blocking my usual route home—I hadn't actually planned for a full-scale evacuation with a terrified feline in tow.

The Promise We Make

There's a scene in "A Quiet Place: Day One" where the protagonist clutches their cat, navigating through danger with every sense heightened. In those quiet moments watching the film, I thought: that's the kind of cat parent I want to be. The one who puts them first, who survives anything with their best friend safely by their side.

But real-life heroics don't begin with dramatic music and lighting. They start with checklists and a little planning.

So this is my offering to you, fellow cat moms and dads: what it really takes to be ready when the unexpected arrives at your door.

1. Start With the Essentials

Think of your cat's emergency kit as their "go bag"—everything they'll need if you have to leave home without warning. Here's what now lives in a backpack by my front door:

• A week's worth of food (both wet and dry, because cats have opinions)
• Bottled water and collapsible bowls
• Two weeks of medications and a waterproof bag with prescription info
• A carrier with a familiar blanket inside
• A small litter box, scoop, and litter (I use the disposable kind for the kit)
• Pet-safe first aid supplies
• A t-shirt that smells like me (comfort is everything)
• Photos of us together and proof of ownership
• A flashlight with extra batteries

I've also labeled her carrier with my contact info and "VIP: Very Important Purrson." It makes me smile every time I see it—and in an emergency, that little moment of joy might be exactly what I need.

2. Practice Doesn't Make Perfect (But It Helps)

Can I share something embarrassing? The last time I needed to get my cat into her carrier quickly, she vanished under the bed while I army-crawled across the floor trying to coax her out with an increasingly desperate slew of treats.

Not exactly the hero I'd imagined.

Now, we practice. The carrier stays out as permanent furniture. Treats appear inside it randomly. Sometimes dinner happens there. It's not perfect—she's still a cat with her own agenda—but it's progress.

I've also mapped her favorite hiding spots. Under the bed? Check. Behind the bookshelf? Check. Inside that one cabinet that doesn't quite close properly? Absolutely.

3. Know Where You're Going

Not all evacuation shelters welcome pets, and the last thing you want during a crisis is to be frantically searching for pet-friendly accommodation while your cat screams from their carrier.

I keep a list of hotels that accept pets within a 50-mile radius of San Francisco. I've also made arrangements with friends in different directions—north, east, and south—who would welcome us both in an emergency.

My downstairs neighbor has a key to my apartment and knows exactly where to find my cat if disaster strikes while I'm away. We check in with each other during every minor emergency. Small rituals bring comfort.

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