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I took this from another list. I don't plan for disasters for myself, let alone my pets or pets in my care, but this is some food for thought.
Fred

Please feel free to cross-post, with proper credit ... Gina

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Ten Things You Need to Know to Prepare Your Dog for a Disaster
(Taken from "Dogs For Dummies," by Gina Spadafori, Copyright 1996 by
Wiley Publishing)

For pet owners faced with a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, or
other crisis, disaster experts are all of one mind on what to do:

Take your pets with you.

While animals are not allowed in disaster-relief shelters, an
increasing number of animal shelters and veterinarians are better
prepared now than ever before to take in animals during an emergency.

In fact, a model program started by the California Veterinary Medical
Association has a veterinarian in place in each county to help
coordinate animal-relief efforts. Other states are starting to see
the light, too, with veterinarians, shelter groups, and specially
trained disaster teams from the Sacramento, Calif., based United
Animal Nations are prepared to do for animals what the Red Cross does
for people.

Why all the changes? A growing realization that animals need help,
too, and that some people choose to put their lives in danger rather
than abandon their pets.

So take your pets. Also take their food, leashes, medicines,
blankets, and carriers if told to evacuate.

You do can do better, still, if you plan ahead. Here are some tips
from disaster-planning experts.

1. Have a Plan

Prepare for all possibilities, including the possibility that you may
be away from home when disaster strikes. Make sure that everyone in
your family - children, too! - is prepared in the event of an
emergency. Make a plan and go over it until everyone knows what to do.

People need to rely on each other during emergencies, and this is
just as true when it comes to your pets. Get to know your neighbors,
and put a plan in place to help each other out. Find out from local
shelters and veterinary organizations what their emergency response
plans are and how you fit into them in case of a disaster.

2. Know What Your Veterinarian's Plans Are

Ask your veterinarian if he has a disaster plan, and how he plans to
fit in with other veterinarians in an emergency. If he has never
thought of it, pushing him a little on the subject won't hurt. If he
has no interest, consider changing vets or exploring back-up care for
your dog from someone who is more tapped in.

3. Maintain Your Pet's Permanent and Temporary ID

Most animals will survive a disaster. But too many will never see
their families again without a way to determine which pet belongs to
which family. That's why pets should always wear a collar and
identification tags. Better still is permanent identification that
can't slip off, such as a tattoo or imbedded microchip.

Keep temporary ID tags at hand, too, to put on your pet if you're
forced to evacuate.(Your pet's permanent ID isn't of much use if you
can't be home to answer the phone.) One of the easiest: Key tags on
which you can jot a current number, slip into a plastic housing, and
then attach to your pet's collar.

4. Keep Vaccinations -- and Records -- Current

Infectious diseases can be spread from dog to dog through
floodwaters, which is why keeping pets' vaccinations up-to-date is
essential. Kennel cough, although not serious, is common in
sheltering situations and also preventable through vaccinations.

Prepare a file with up-to-date medical and vaccination records, your
pets' microchip or tattoo numbers, your veterinarian's phone number
and address, feeding and medication instructions, and recent pictures
of your animals. Trade copies of emergency files with another pet-
loving friend -- it's a good idea for someone else to know about your
pet should anything happen to you.

5. Have Restraints Ready

Even normally obedient dogs can behave rather strangely when stressed
by an emergency. Consequently, you should be prepared to restrain
your pet - for his safety and the safety of others.

Keep leashes and carriers ready for emergencies. Ready means at hand -
- the means to transport your pet shouldn't be something you have to
find and pull from the rafters. Harnesses work better than collars at
keeping panicky pets safe.

Shipping crates are probably the least-thought-of pieces of emergency
equipment for pet owners - but are among the most important. Sturdy
crates keep pets safe and give rescuers more options in housing pets.
They give you more options, too, in the homes of friends or
relatives, or in shelters outside of the area.

Depending on weather conditions, crated pets may also be safely left
overnight in vehicles.

Another item to keep on hand is a muzzle, because frightened and
injured dogs are more likely to bite.

6. Rotate a Supply of Food, Water, and Medications

Keep several days' worth of food and safe drinking water as well as
any necessary medicines packed and ready to go in the event of a
disaster. Rotate your supplies so they do not get stale. If your pet
eats canned food, be sure to keep an extra can opener and spoon
tucked in among the emergency supplies.

7. Keep First Aid Supplies on Hand -- with Directions

Pet-supply stores sell ready-made first aid kits, or you can put your
own together fairly easily. You can find the ingredients of a good
basic kit elsewhere in this book.

Keep a first aid book with your supplies, but give the book a quick
read before you store it. Veterinarian Michelle Bamberger's "Help!
The Quick Guide to First Aid for Your Dog" (Howell) is one that's
well organized and easy to follow.

Pet-Pak, Inc., manufactures animal first-aid kits in five sizes, all
neatly packed in a plastic container (the four largest have handles).
The kit contains the basics for emergency care, along with a pamphlet
on using the supplies. For information, contact the company at P.O.
Box 982, Edison, NJ 08818-0982; (908) 906-9200.

8. Know the Locations of Other Veterinary Hospitals - and Animal
Shelters

Your veterinary hospital may be damaged in the disaster, which is why
having some back-up plans for boarding and care is good. Know where
other veterinary hospitals are, as well as animal shelters and animal-
control facilities in your area.

9. Keep a "Lost Dog" Kit Ready

In case of a disaster, you probably won't be able to get flyers
printed up, so make up some generic ones and keep them with your
emergency supplies. In the biggest type size you can, center the
words: "LOST DOG," along with a clear picture of your dog. Then
below, provide a description of your dog, including any identifying
marks, and a space to add the phone number where you can be reached,
along with any back-up contacts, friends, relatives, neighbors, or
your veterinarian. Print a hundred copies and keep them in a safe
place.

A staple-gun allows you to post your notices; keep one loaded and
with your supplies along with thumbtacks and electrical tape.

If your dog becomes lost, post flyers in your neighborhood and
beyond, and distribute them at veterinary hospitals and shelters.
While relying on the kindness of strangers is nice, offering a reward
makes many strangers just a little bit kinder.

10. Be Prepared to Help Others

You may be lucky to survive a disaster nearly untouched, but others
in your community won't be so fortunate. Contact your local humane
society and veterinary organization now to train as a volunteer so
you can help out in a pinch. Disaster-relief workers do everything
from distributing food to stranded animals to helping reunite pets
with their families - and helping find new homes for those who need
them.

Volunteering in a pinch is not only a good thing to do - it's the
right thing for anyone who cares about animals and people.

("Dogs For Dummies" is now in its second edition.)

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