Let’s talk about emergency planning. But first, let’s talk Homecoming SZN. In a few days, my friends and I are road trippin’ down to Hampton University for homecoming. It seems like only yesterday we were eating in the café, cramming for exams, and running for our lives to make it back to the dorm before curfew. And while nostalgia is great, adulting now means being prepared, especially when it comes to having an emergency plan for your dog and home.
And since we’re also talking emergency planning, I can’t forget the time my friends and I chose to camp out in the gym during Hurricane Isabelle instead of going home. Until this day, I still don’t understand our logic.
But adulting and dog mommyhood after college has taught me that not only should I have gone home and get out of dodge for Hurricane Isabelle, I should also have a complete emergency plan for my dog and home. So, let’s get into it.
WHAT IS A HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY PLAN AND WHY YOU AND YOUR DOG NEEDS ONE
An emergency plan is a step-by-step strategy to help your household prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises-minimizing chaos, protecting your people and pets, and keeping your finances and safety intact.
As a dog mom, an emergency plan ensures your dog’s safety and care so you’re not scrambling for supplies, caregivers, or pet-friendly housing in a crisis.
CRISIS SCENARIOS THAT REQUIRE A DOG (AND HOME) EMERGENCY PLAN
So, yes girl. “Shift” happens. We all need an emergency plan to navigate this so-called adulting dog mom life of ours. An emergency plan can help us stay calm and serve as a guide to help us navigate the shift.
Here are a few “shifts” that would call for an emergency plan:
- Job loss or reduced hours – Your plan buys you time until income stabilizes.
- Medical emergencies – Knowing how to access funds and records quickly prevents stress piling on top of stress.
- Unexpected housing issues – From burst pipes to sudden eviction, your plan guides next steps.
- Natural disasters – Hurricanes, floods, and extreme heat events are increasing due to climate change.
CORE COMPONENTS OF YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN
Now, we can’t talk about the “shift” without discussing the plan. After a little research, I came up with these five sections for my emergency plan:
1. Emergency Fund: It’s recommended that we save enough to cover 3–6 months of expenses, or at least enough to handle evacuation, temporary housing, and immediate needs.
2. Go-Kit: Copies of IDs, insurance papers, backup credit card, prescription meds, and cash in small bills. Remember your dog’s needs as well, such as food, water, leash, medical records, etc.
3. Evacuation Plan: Where Sugar and I go, who you’ll call, and how you’ll get there. Include alternatives in case your first option isn’t available. This includes pet-friendly places to stay.
4. Communication Strategy: A designated out-of-town contact everyone can check in with if phones are down. This includes contact information for my doctors and Sugar’s vet.
5. Financial Access: Ensure you can access your banking and financial accounts digitally and have at least one line of credit reserved, if possible. Also, have digital access to documents such as your resume, business contacts, and other job readiness documents.
STEPS TO BUILD YOUR EMERGENCY FUND (DOG MOM MATH RULE #4)
In a perfect world, I’d have that 3-6 months’ worth of savings for expenses in one lump sum. But I live in the real world. I aspire to get my plan in place but building that amount of savings takes time. Especially, when you’re starting from scratch.
This is where Dog Mom Math Rule #4: “Big purchases pay for themselves over time” comes in. Here’s how I’m using this rule to help me achieve my savings goal:
NB: I used this rule to help me put a plan together to help me achieve my savings goal.
Step 1: Set a Savings Goal
I broke down my 3–6-month savings goals into sections:
- I worked to save $1,000 to cover immediate costs. And yes. I enlisted the help of my cash back rewards.
- I dedicate a portion of tax refunds, bonuses, or unexpected income specifically for my emergency fund.
- I even reallocate savings from canceled subscriptions, dining out, or pet-related “extras” toward the fund
Step 2: Automate My Savings
Set up small automatic transfers into my savings account each payday. This allows me to be consistent with building my savings as I work towards my goal.
Step 3: Leverage My Cash Flow
Instead of only “saving a few dollars a week,” try:
- Selling unused furniture or electronics.
- Redirecting cash-back rewards or credit card points into a savings account.
- Exploring employer benefits like flexible savings accounts or payroll deductions.
Step 4: Protect Your Big Investments
I continue to assess my insurance policies annually. This allows me to assess the needs for home upgrades (like food supply or generators) and health coverages without having to pay for everything in one lump sum.
ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST: CREATING A PET EMERGENCY PLAN
Becoming a dog mom means I can’t just hop in the car and road trip down to homecoming at the last minute. My travel plans must include Sugar. And so does my emergency plan. So, here are the items and information that should be included in your emergency plan for your dog:
Pet Go-Bag: Food, water, collapsible bowls, medications, leash/harness, favorite toy or blanket.
Medical Records: Keep digital and paper copies of vaccinations and prescriptions.
Emergency Caregivers: Identify a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member who can step in if
you can’t get home.
Shelter Options: Not all emergency shelters accept pets, research pet-friendly hotels or
boarding options in advance.
PREPARE TO TALK YOUR “SHIFT:” FINAL THOUGHTS ON PREPAREDNESS
Now, back to Hurricane Isabelle. Yes. I should’ve gone home instead of camping out in the gym. And yes. I was tired of eating leftover cafeteria food, no electricity, and sleeping on a mattress on the gym floor. But staying in the gym taught me a lesson.
It can’t rain forever. Eventually, the sun comes out, classes start gain, and the campus gets back to normal. After that, all you have are memories, lessons learn, and the opportunity to talk your “shift.”
Creating an emergency plan also doesn’t stop the rain from coming. However, it gives you an umbrella to weather the storm and prepare to talk your “shift” in the sunshine.
Now, we’d also love to hear from you. Have you created an emergency plan? What did you include in your emergency plan?
Let’s continue the conversation “after bark.” Sign up for our P. S. After Bark newsletter to talk your shift and all things dog mom lifestyle.
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