Bug Out with your Cats!

It was December 30th, 2021 some time in the afternoon when I heard a banging on my Broomfield, Colorado apartment door. I opened the door and two firefighters said, “you need to leave…NOW!” I asked “Where?”  They said, “anywhere but here!” I already knew of the Marshall Fire going on in the neighboring town, Superior, since that morning. There had been no warnings that the fire was spreading towards my apartment so it was a sudden notice. The fire would be known as the most devastating fire in Colorado history. I lived just on the other side of the hill where an entire town was burning down. 

I am a wilderness survival skills instructor and have tons of survival gear, but let me tell you, that got me interested and obsessed with bug out bags real fast! I now always have one ready for a “grab and go” whenever I need it. I assumed that we would be stuck on the highway because of the 30,000 people evacuating from the area. So at once I prioritized warm gear, water, and of course, the cat!

When we think of bug out bags, we think of fire starting tools, shelter items, calories, water disinfection, weapons, SD cards with our documents, gas masks, knives, and all of the things that would take care of us when we need to leave at a moment's notice. But let's face it, we love our pets and want to prioritize their health and well being. I grew up with dogs but have had cats in my adult life so this article will mostly be about our feline companions. However, I hope this will be helpful to dog owners too.

The first question that you should ask yourself before preparing any bug out bag is “What am I preparing for?” The next question should be “What is my plan?” In the case of the Marshall Fire, I would be preparing to drive somewhere in a safe zone to stay at a friend's house. There would be the potential for human to human conflict on the highway (I am from Massachusetts, it's expected). Assuming that we would be stuck on the highway, my plan was warm sleeping bags, water, and a few other things to be comfortable in the car all night. We ended up at a friend's house safely away from the fire without too much trouble getting there. 

The reality is that when it comes to preparing for a situation, we can’t plan or prepare for everything and we need to be adaptable in any situation. Pets can make things more difficult as they may not obediently run or walk, and they may not be able to understand all of our commands. Dogs can be trained to be off leash and without a crate, as is usual. However, what would they do under high intensity stress with sirens and people running around? 

When constructing a bug out bag for your pets, many things come into consideration. What type of pet, how many pets, medical needs, age, dietary needs, training, and what they have previously been exposed to. You will also need to make an idea of how many days you will want to be ready for. Cats are far better than dogs at becoming feralized if you release them, but that is a choice each owner will have to make in an emergency. They also tend to be better at hunting even if they are indoor cats. My cats are my kids and I take them anywhere I go, so letting them go is not an option.

I own two young cats and as soon as I adopted them, I started collar training and car training them. At the time of writing this article, they are also in the process of harness and leash training. They are very well socialized to a wide variety of people, including kids. They have also been exposed to different houses so that when they go into a new environment, they are more curious instead of afraid. They drive well in the car and don’t vomit or go to the bathroom in their carrier. I am well informed of their medical needs and have all of their vaccination records on file. There are a few items in my personal bug out bag that would also be applied to them such as my water filters and extra first aid supplies. Here are the contents of their bug out bag:

CAT BUG OUT BAG CONTENTS

• 5 lb bag of dry food

• 10 cans of wet food

• 1 and a half gallons of water

• 2 disposable litter trays with litter

• 2 bowls for food and water

• First aid kit with vet wrap, children’s liquid benadryl, pet antibiotics, and oral syringes

• 1 harness, collar, and leash for each cat

• SD card with all vaccination and medical records

• A few toys and treats

• 1 blanket

• 1 soft foldable crate to supplement the one I will carry them in, or if they need to be separated

• Nail clippers

• Baby wipes

• Paper towels

• Small brush

• Plastic poop bags

• Pee pads

Pets are our family and it is up to us to keep them safe. Training them to be emergency ready should be in your long term plan should SHTF and you need to bug out. Different animals may have very special needs such as reptiles needing a heat source or birds needing space to fly. This should be a consideration when choosing a pet if you are looking for a companion. Dogs would probably be the best choice if your bug out plan is to mobilize on foot as they can hike with you and they can even carry some of their own gear. Cats are more independent and can take care of themselves for at least a while should you need to release them. Worst case scenario, your bug out pet can also turn into an easy meal!

-Tim Swanson

Founder and Lead Instructor of Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival