Emergency/Check List

Mythreemoggies came up with this, and I thought it would be a good idea to write about this idea.

With an emergency list (I couldn’t think of another name) I mean the kind of list that you make for the person who is going to ‘babysit’ your cat(s) or other pets when you are away. This is especially handy when something might happen when while you are gone, like an accident, or your cat becomes sick.

It’s important that if your cats go to somewhere else, where they will be staying until you are back. To look around. Do happen to have plants that are toxic to cats (Toxic and Non-toxic plants at ASPCA)? How clean is their place? Do they have kids? If so, how is your cat with kids?

I would also find it a good idea to sit down with that person/cat sitter to talk about discipline and rules. Whether your cats are staying in your house, and someone else is going to sleep over at your place while you’re gone. Or the kitties are leaving to sleep over at the cat-sitter’s place. Talk about her or him how you discipline your cats, how you want her or him to discipline your cats. What are the rules in your house? Where aren’t they allowed to go? (kitchen, the baby room, outside, etc)

Or if you walk your cat with a harness every day at 10am, tell her. Cats are routine animals after all!

Check List

Medication
If your cat is on any medication. Make sure that the cat-sitter knows where to find those medicines.

• Where the cat-sitter can find the medicines.
• How much she/he needs to give to your cat(s) and how to give.
• Medical conditions your cat has.

Food
If your cats are going to stay with someone else. Don’t forget about their food. It’s important for cats not change suddenly to another brand of food. So make sure you bring their food along, or that the cat-sitter knows where to find it. And that you have enough food available for as long as you’re gone.

• Where is the food?
• Wet food or dry food, when and how much? (feeding schedules)
• Don’t forget to bring the food if kitties are going to sleep over.
• Make sure there is enough food for the time you’re gone.
• Let the cat-sitter know how and at which times they get their food and how much.

Allergies
Your cat might be allergic to something. But it’s important for you, your cat and the person who is going to babysit your cat that she is aware of that. For example: your cat is allergic to chicken. So your cat-sitter shouldn’t give him treats that contains chicken.

Phone Numbers
Every phone number that is useful you should write down.

• Your phone number, the phone number from the place you’re staying.
• Phone number from family members.
• The phone number from the pet insurance company (if your cat has an insurance)
• The phone number from the vet your cat always goes to.
• And eventually phone numbers of emergency lines from the vets.

Address
The address from the vet is very important, so your vet doesn’t have to google the address when there is an emergency and your cat needs help as soon as possible.

• Address from the vet.
• Address where you are staying at your vacation.
• Address from family members for when something happens.

Emergencies
If you live in a place where natural disasters can happen like tornado’s, tsunami’s and more. Make sure you add the following information to your list:

•  A list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities. (Contact your veterinarian)
• Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
• Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets. (add address!)
• Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.

Other
Other things you might want to think about are:

• Litter trays and the litter. Just for when you don’t want your cat-sitter to pay for that as well.
• A first aid kit for cats. Very handy!
• Recent photo’s of your cats.
  Just in case they somehow might go missing.
• Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash.
• Your cats feeding dishes.
• Have your cats chipped!
• Cat beds, your cat’s favorite pillow.
• Photocopies of medical records.
• Behavior problems your cat has.
• Tell you’re vet you’ll be gone, and someone else is going to take care of your cat.
• And make financial arrangements in case of emergency or illness. (with your vet and cat-sitter)
• Grooming supplies like brushes.
• Toys!

How do you prepare yourself, your cats and the cat-sitter for when you’re going on vacation without your kitties?

Pictures by catster.com,

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