Evacuation Plan with your Guinea Pigs.

[WWDrew]

Hello Everyone,

I live in BC Canada and we have had forest fires, floods, and a heat waves the past 18 months. My town was cut off from the rest of the country last year, because all of your roads in and out were flooded. There was no groceries and no hay for the Guinea Pigs coming into town and all the farms were flooded.

So, I'm trying to come up with an evacuation plan with my 2 single boys and 3 girls that live together. I would love to hear from others if they have plans for various emergencies such as evacuation plans? How are you prepared for evacuation, and water/hay shortage? I would love to have a discussion about this.

Thank you,

 

[TheresaS]

I've dealt with a level 2 forest fire and a bad ice storm cutting off power for 4 days. Was so worried about my piggies getting cold. As a result we purchased some camping equipment that should help in a weather-related situation. I try to keep 1 extra bag of hay on hand and just try to stay ahead of the game. It helps to know in advance when something big will be in the area. Also stock up on romaine lettuce & Spring Mix. Always have bottled water both for you and your piggies. Not sure I'm much help. Am curious if others will provide their thoughts.

 

[WWDrew]

I've dealt with a level 2 forest fire and a bad ice storm cutting off power for 4 days. Was so worried about my piggies getting cold. As a result we purchased some camping equipment that should help in a weather-related situation. I try to keep 1 extra bag of hay on hand and just try to stay ahead of the game. It helps to know in advance when something big will be in the area. Also stock up on romaine lettuce & Spring Mix. Always have bottled water both for you and your piggies. Not sure I'm much help. Am curious if others will provide their thoughts.

Your extra hay around is something I can do! I was thinking of getting Oxbow compressed hay comes in pucks that take a lot less space while you would be trying to shove all your most precious things in your trunk of your car. lol... ;-) Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hay and water are the crucial things here. Veggies are great and help keep them healthy but in an emergency I would focus on having back up hay and water to try and prevent running out.
I don't really know what else to suggest, here in the UK we haven't really been subject to these sort of things (though with climate change it's only a matter of time)

 

[VickiA]

I think I’d keep a bag of compressed hay and bottled water ready, as well as a pet carrier ready lined with a warm liner so that you would be ready to grab and go if the need arose.

 

[Swissgreys]

This is taken from a post I wrote a while ago, as this topic does come up periodically:

I grew up in an area where we were evacuated on a fairly regular basis, and I am afraid old habits die hard - evacuation is highly (highly) unlikely where I live now, but we have an emergency box for each cage of animals we own.

Our piggy evacuation box (we have 2 boxes - one for each piggy cage) contains:

8 C&C grids + cable ties (enough to make a 2 x 2 cage)
2 fleece blankets
2 bath towels
half a shower curtain
1 water bottle
1 zip lock bag of pellets
1 syringe and sachet of recovery food
1 fleece tunnel
I cardboard box
1 vacuum packed bag of hay

It really is the absolute bare minimum, and it is all stored in a small plastic tub underneath each cage.
We also have one pet carrier per cage, so in an emergency we would only need to take the carrier (with pigs inside) and the plastic tub with their supplies.
This would allow us to set up temporary accommodation for them wherever we ended up, and give us enough food for at least 2 - 3 days.

I think this sort of thing is something everyone should have, becasue even if evacuation isn't an issue, in the event of a house fire we would follow the same protocol. I know you are not supposed to stop to get your pets, but depending on the situation, I would like to have that option.

I also think it is important to discuss the procedure with every member of the family.
For example our kids know they can take the plastic tubs (if it is safe to do so, and I give them permission) but also know that under no circumstances are they allowed to try and catch the piggies. That is too greater responsibility to give to a child.

 

[poggle]

I love these questions, something new comes up every time which gets me thinking.

Emergency boxes are a great idea. After the wildfires in the UK during that heatwave earlier this year I'm not sure I can think of evacuation as something that only happens in other countries any more, and I guess there was always the possibility of nearby gas leaks etc. I have to keep my car away from my house so I might stash a few things in there.