Planning for pets

First, the pet buddy

Pick one friend, neighbour or relative within twenty minutes who would take your animals for a few nights, and ask them now. Norfolk's resilience forum calls this a "pet buddy", and it's the first thing to sort out. Assistance animals are always admitted to rest centres; ordinary pets often aren't, and hotels booked by your insurer may refuse them too.

The pet kit

PDSA's flood advice is a week of sealed food and water per animal. It's worth matching whatever period you've chosen for the people, since pet shops may be shut too. Keep it in a lidded box with the human kit.

• Their normal food, sealed, with the date on it (PDSA suggests a week's worth). Dry food in an airtight tub, or pouches. A sudden change of food on top of stress can upset a dog's stomach.KICHLY airtight containers ×18 ad
• Water: about 1 litre a day for a medium dog, less for a cat. Add it to the household water total.
• Collapsible bowls, two. Flat in the grab bag.Colapz collapsible dog bowls ×2 ad
• A spare lead and collar with an ID tag, and a harness for the cat. A frightened animal slips a collar. The tag is a legal requirement for dogs in public anyway.Spare padded rope lead ad Engraved brass ID tag ad
• A carrier per cat or small pet, left out so they're used to it. If you can't get the cat into a carrier quickly, you may have to leave without it.Hard two-door cat carrier ad
• Poo bags, a towel, any medication, a copy of the vaccination record. Kennels and some pet buddies will ask for the vaccination record.
• A recent photo of you with the pet, and the microchip number, in the waterproof pouch. Proof of ownership if you get separated.
• A small pet first aid kit. Vets are shut in a storm too.Pet first aid kit ad

Microchips and paperwork

Dogs have had to be microchipped since 2016; cats since June 2024, with fines up to £500. The chip is useless if the database has your old number on it. Check it today at the registry on your paperwork (Petlog, Identibase, etc.) and update the phone number. Then write the chip number on the fridge sheet next to your parents' medicines.

Storms

Bring cats in and lock the cat flap before the wind gets up. Make a den for the dog (crate with the door open, blanket over the top), leave the radio on to mask the noise, and don't leave dogs alone through a named storm if you can help it. Move hutches into the garage or shed.

Floods and the door notice

If floodwater is coming, small animals go upstairs with you. If you have to leave and genuinely cannot take them, PDSA and the RSPCA both say: put them upstairs with three days' food and water, and tape a notice on the front door saying what animals are inside and your number, then ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 as soon as you're safe. Never go back into floodwater for an animal; that is what the fire service is for.

Power cuts

Fish tanks and reptile heat lamps are easy to overlook. A tropical tank starts to cool within hours; wrap it in blankets and float sealed bottles of warm water from the camping stove. A small UPS will run an air pump and heater for several hours. Dogs and cats, frankly, are fine; they'll just sit closer to you.

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