This week marks five years since the Carr Fire, and I still remember how intense those days were evacuating with my three senior dogs. One of the most difficult moments came when helicopters flew low over my house, sending my middle dog into a panic and stalling the car-loading process entirely. At the time, my only goal was to keep everyone safe and as calm as possible. We spent ten days in a hotel, where I juggled three crates and constant potty walks. I ran out of poop bags by day four and realized I had forgotten a few essentials. Now, with two high-energy dogs, my evacuation plan looks very different.
Lessons Learned from My Carr Fire Evacuation
One of the biggest lessons I learned during my evacuation was how difficult it was to manage three separate crates. Hauling them in and out of the hotel and fitting them into the car was exhausting, especially when all three dogs got along. After that experience, I added an exercise pen (x-pen) to my evacuation kit. It gives the dogs more room to move and rest comfortably while still keeping them contained. It’s a much more flexible and manageable option than crates, and I wish I’d had it at the time.
Another crucial thing I forgot was their collars. Now, I always keep spare collars with ID tags stored in my car. Having backups is essential because you never know when a collar might break, get lost, or be damaged during a stressful evacuation.
Another thing I learned: pack more poop bags than you think you’ll need. Stress often means more frequent bathroom breaks. I also now include a long leash or line so my dogs have more space to go potty when we don’t have access to a yard. Planning for these details makes evacuation smoother and keeps your dogs more comfortable.
Preparing for Your Dog’s Evacuation
If you have young high energy dogs like mine now, preparation means planning for their physical and emotional needs during an evacuation. Here are some practical tips:
- Containment options: Invest in a lightweight, easy to carry exercise pen that can fit in your evacuation gear. It is a flexible alternative to crates, especially for multiple dogs.
- Emergency kit: Pack a dedicated dog evacuation kit that includes food, water bowls, medications, leash, collar with ID tags, bedding, toys, waste bags, and medical records.
- Extra gear: Store spare collars and leashes in multiple places like your car, home emergency kit, and bags.
- Exercise and mental stimulation: Give your dogs plenty of exercise before leaving to reduce anxiety and excess energy. Bring familiar toys or puzzle feeders to keep them calm.
- Routine and comfort: Try to maintain feeding and bathroom routines as much as possible in your temporary space.
Where to Find More Help
Planning ahead is the best way to reduce stress during an emergency evacuation. If you want a detailed dog evacuation checklist, check out this resource to make sure you do not miss a thing. AKC Are You Prepared Checklist
And if you need support training your dogs to handle evacuation situations whether it is crate training, car loading, settling in a new space, or managing stress, our Family Package can help you build those skills before an emergency strikes.
For more information on evacuating with your pet, click here.