Bugging Out with Pets - My Plan

[minidude0]

This is what I would do-
I would say I'm taking my pets with me, or I won't go. Then if they try to force me, get like 30 foot long chains, for me and the pets, and just stay.

[colinz]

I ain't leaving her either...

Beautiful looking dog there!

Colinz, I luff your Border-mixxxxx!!!!11!1

Half Border Collie, Half Huntaway, purebred NZ Cattle/Sheep dog! Stupidly friendly too!

[Flea]

I ain't leaving her either...

Beautiful looking dog there!

Colinz, I luff your Border-mixxxxx!!!!11!1

Half Border Collie, Half Huntaway, purebred NZ Cattle/Sheep dog! Stupidly friendly too!

Thanks man she is a real sweet heart. When she does something wrong it makes it tough for me to get mad at her for long.

[shillard]

Our cat is a family member, and will be treated with the same due regard as any other. People having a problem with that are welcome to FOAD - GovCo orcs included.

He already has his own night vision gear, I just have to work out a way to get a MOLLE vest on him, and adapt a P-90 for his right paw.

[Yrkoon9]

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Axel. 70lbs pit with incredible strength and stamina. But a huge sissy boy. Unaggressive, and the most sensitive dog I've ever seen. Although intimidating he is a family pet. With a pulling harness he can tow a freaking train.

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Leeloo. 70lbs shepardmix. A dyed in the wool killer. Originally picked by Axel for a best friend she should have been someones tracking/hunting dog. An incredible guard. Constantly vigiliant. Animal aggressive. While this has been a source of constant aggravation in todays world she would be awesome in a PAW. Her alertness and aggressiveness is what dogs were domesticated for back when we were cavemen. Independent yet fiercely loyal and attached to my wife. When we first got her the only thing I could think was: feral.


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Clearly they love each other. Part of the family. We couldn't go anywhere without them. And I will honestly shoot a person if they tried to kill my dogs - government entity or not. In a world gone mad I don't trust people. I would trust a person. But not people. I trust my dogs.

I think of them as a critical element in my survival plan and have planned accordingly. They take up a lot of food and room. But the trade off is well worth the price.

[ToddGray]

Axel. 70lbs pit with incredible strength and stamina. But a huge sissy boy. Unaggressive, and the most sensitive dog I've ever seen. Although intimidating he is a family pet. With a pulling harness he can tow a freaking train.



Leeloo. 70lbs shepardmix. A dyed in the wool killer. Originally picked by Axel for a best friend she should have been someones tracking/hunting dog. An incredible guard. Constantly vigiliant. Animal aggressive. While this has been a source of constant aggravation in todays world she would be awesome in a PAW. Her alertness and aggressiveness is what dogs were domesticated for back when we were cavemen. Independent yet fiercely loyal and attached to my wife. When we first got her the only thing I could think was: feral.




Clearly they love each other. Part of the family. We couldn't go anywhere without them. And I will honestly shoot a person if they tried to kill my dogs - government entity or not. In a world gone mad I don't trust people. I would trust a person. But not people. I trust my dogs.

I think of them as a critical element in my survival plan and have planned accordingly. They take up a lot of food and room. But the trade off is well worth the price.

There you go; fixed it.

[BigdaddyTank]

Here is my bug out dog, Tank. He is an AKC international champion in show and has working dog certificates and pull title championships. Now he is a retired bear who likes to kill furry animals, squirrels, rabbits, opossums, he does not discriminate. He is 32 inch's at the shoulders and weighs 130.

[raptor]

With the 2008 hurricane season almost on us I thought I would remind pet owners about making preparation for your pets.

I just returned from an extended trip with everyone including my cats. I used this as a mock bug out and utilized this plan. It went without a hitch including a 1,300 mile round trip flight.

The cats knew something "bad " was up when I got out the travel cages out the day before. However, they had calmed down and were ignoring the cages by breakfast the next morning. I loaded the 2 most escape prone cats into their cages first the others went more or less willingly.

They were annoyed to arrive in a strange place and equally miffed about the white stuff on the ground but they coped. The return trip was equally uneventful and they were clearly glad to be back to known territory.

I normally do not recommend taking cats on a plane trip but I was allowed special consideration on this plane so that there was no stress for the cats or me.

[killing time]

Where I go, the cat goes.

After Katrina, LSU set up a rescue pet facility in the Ag Center and all animals were checked for chips (please chip your animals) and lots were reunited. That was a good thing to see. Also lots of people I know have katrina kitties rescued but never retreived, fortunately these guys have good homes but i wonder about the ones who were never adopted. I've made a BOB for my cat.

My plan involves a harness and leash for my cat (she's used to it) and it can be tied to stationary objects without having to keep her cooped up, but I also have a carrier. Food and water for pets is pretty easy, but finding a place that lets you keep them can be a problem.

Regarding bugging out with pets, remember that the authorities will have little or no patience with you trying to bring a cat or dog into a shelter if you have to leave your vehicle and take their transportation. At that point, let's just say, the cat is coming with me, and that is the final answer.

Agreed with the idea of leaving food and water high up and an opening in the house for the pet to stay. Cats are often more attached to a location than a dog and may very well stay there for months, while a friendly dog will seek out a human to be with. Naturally bringing the pet with you is the best option.

The fish are going to be pretty much on their own.. If they're lucky I'll toss in a few feeding cubes before I go.

[KeeblerNinjaClan]

Neat little trick I picked up on for a hiking collar for dogs.


Its your average chrome twisted-link slip-collar, with O-rings at each end. I took some of the omnipotent 550 paracord and laced it through each link, running once down its length, then doubling back and lacing in the opposite direction.



This makes it a little more comfortable for my dog to wear all day, makes less noise, plus holds about 36" of paracord, should I need it.

Just cause no one else has said it, that is freaking awesome!

[Dagger6]

+1 on the pet bug out. Dog makes a fine meal!

[thelung187]

Having needed to bugout for a storm previously (one of the 2004 storms, I think it was Fran?), there was no question as to whether to bring our Catahoula or not. A couple points of note:

- Training: If your pet is crate trained, you're going to have a more difficult time if you're at a BOL. Be watchful if they are "prancing" around and sniffing like they're about to drop a hefty load; more than likely, they are, and going out during a storm is NOT ADVISABLE. Better to have them crap on the carpet than risk being hit by debris while you hastily walk them down the street corner and back.
- Be knowledgeable of your pets capabilities: I can't speak for other animals or dog breeds, but you'll know what your pet is capable of handling. Just as you wouldn't put a 20lb. harness on a 40lb. dog, don't feel like you're overstressing your 150lb. great dane with a 3lb. pack. I put a pack harness on mine (she's 70lbs.), loaded with about 5 lbs. of food, two 1L of water, a tube of neosporin, a small spray-bottle of isopropyl alcohol, and basic sterilization/bandages; and she carried it 24 hours a day for about 4 days straight.
- Plan your BOL in advance: if you're bugging out to a hotel, verify IN ADVANCE that the hotel accepts pets. Nothing like showing up somewhere and having them turn you away because they are not pet-friendly. No amount of whining/bitching/moaning will change their policies. Same standard applies to government-sponsored shelters, NOT ALL SHELTERS TAKE PETS. They will turn you away at the door, I've seen it done to others.
- On foot: in a true bugout situation, more than likely if you have access to your pet, you have access to a vehicle too. If, however, it's you and the pup(s) and no wheels, make sure they have dog-boots. I didn't use these previously, until I was on a hike a few weeks back and my dog got a bunch of sand-spurs in between the pads on her paws. Didn't hurt her terribly, but she was limping, and QUITE unhappy about having them removed.

In my opinion, dogs offer protection, additional security, hunting capabilities (breed-dependent of course), and are good for morale. Also, for the sake of dog pride, here's a few pics!

[buffalosoldier]

*shrug* I would be more likely to give up my weapons and supplies than my dogs.

[churchtech]

If I have to bug out, I'll probably do it without pets. I'm going to concentrate 100% on keeping my wife and I alive. Pets are disposable compared to my wife.

-Erik

While I agree with your sentiment, Not every disaster is TEOTWAWKI. You should have plans for smaller scale SHTF events. A hurricane (long lead time, regional impact) is the obvious example. With just a bit of planning you can take your pets with you, and not effect your own survivability.

[CLEAR CUT]

+1 on the pet bug out. Dog makes a fine meal!

As a last resort, maybe. And that's a very iffy maybe even for a lot of people. Were it a stray, I would consider it, but keep in mind most strays were someone's pet. As you've seen here a lot of us are very attached to our pets and would put the hurt to someone looking to feast on them. Rightly so I believe.

Keep that in mind the next time you make a tasteless comment like that without offering some clarification.

[Aikidoka]

Great post. I'm glad to see Im not the only one that wouldn't consider leaving without my 2 German Shepherds. No matter what it takes Im making it home and if for some reason if I cant leave with my dogs Ill take my chances and stay home.

[broylz]

my wife would kill herself trying to save the animals and i get pulled in the mix trying to save her so i just plan for it now. we currently have a 100lb GSD, 2 pomeranians and a cat.

during hurricane katrina and wilma in S. FL. my wife tried to bring her 2000lb Percheron Draft Horse into our kitcken so it wouldnt be out in the storm. she overlooked the fact that she would stomp us both to death.

[raptor]

during hurricane katrina and wilma in S. FL. my wife tried to bring her 2000lb Percheron Draft Horse into our kitcken so it wouldnt be out in the storm. she overlooked the fact that she would stomp us both to death.

I can appreciate your wife's desire to keep the horse safe but good lord a 2,000 lb scared horse in a house sounds dangerous for all involved. What do you do for horses in a hurricane?

[broylz]

we ended up keeping our horses in their stalls for some debris protection and slightly sedated them with a light dose of Ace. then they were pretty well on their own. unfortunately by the time the Ace wore off, the worst of the storm was just hitting us. they came out okay. it was a couple days for them to finally calm down. we ended up using them to get to the grocery store when we couldnt get past the downed trees.

[MR2]

I agree with the group. I would NEVER surrender our family member. We bug out in Firestorm 2007 and he came with us without question. Being it was 1:30 in the morning it took us a while to find a room for the first night because they would not allow dogs, even though he is only 5 lbs. I did not need their business either. Just be prepared, they are part of your family and give you uncoditional love. We will do the same, plus the wife is good with one of the 45's.

[sirenmoses]

...- Training: If your pet is crate trained, you're going to have a more difficult time if you're at a BOL.

Please clarify... is it the timing of the poo, or the fact that the dog might be used to be let out for biz every 10h or so?

My dogs ARE my family: even my family knows that! Unless I have to work during an emergency, dogs are coming with. Not surprizingly, the dog show set-up becomes campable quite easily.

If I do have to work, and my Human back-up isn't available, they have dog doors, a weeks worth of water (5gal/dog) and eventually they'll figure out how to open the cabinet door where the food lives.

[raptor]

I thought I would post this as an example of what not to do to your pets.



These dogs were left at home near Galveston TX for Ike and made it through safely.

[thelung187]

...- Training: If your pet is crate trained, you're going to have a more difficult time if you're at a BOL.

Please clarify... is it the timing of the poo, or the fact that the dog might be used to be let out for biz every 10h or so?

My dogs ARE my family: even my family knows that! Unless I have to work during an emergency, dogs are coming with. Not surprizingly, the dog show set-up becomes campable quite easily.

If I do have to work, and my Human back-up isn't available, they have dog doors, a weeks worth of water (5gal/dog) and eventually they'll figure out how to open the cabinet door where the food lives.

This is going under the assumption that, whether your BOL is in a remote area of the woods or at a shelter, you will undoubtedly have adverse conditions (depending on the reason for bugging out in the first place). In the model scenario I used, it was a hurricane. Assuming a crate trained pet is used to being let out every 8 hours, that's three times per day the animal is outside and subject to environmental factors that may (in this case) be more adverse than otherwise.

My point was simply that one should exercise caution when attempting to handled an animal outside during extreme conditions. And I agree, my dog IS my family as well; I can envision no scenario where she would not accompany me (whether it be hurricane BOL, ZPAW BOL, or otherwise).

[yale]

Regarding crating our cats, we learned early on that the advise of leaving the crates inside the house where the cats can get used to seeing them really does work. In fact, we keep our crates in our master bedroom with the doors open. Every once in a while we will toss in a cat treat to a crate or two. The cats get used to the crates being around, they explore them and from time to time will find a treat to nibble. The crates become something to lay one top of or inside of instead of something to be fear which is only brought out for vet visits. The cats have gotten so used to them that they often nap inside the crates as seen in this photo...

This makes it so much easier to get them into the crates when necessary and transporting them is much less stressful on us all.