Hi all!
In 2005 we experienced a devastating Hurricane Rita. We were told to evacuate in the early morning hours as Rita made an unexpected turn. We had to quickly pack up and get out.
If Gustav hits us, like it is possibly projected to, I need all the advice I can get on traveling with Dr. Pepper and Rootbeer. During Rita we couldn't return for 3 weeks. If I have my babies with me, I want to make their car ride and wherever we stay as comfortable as possible. Any advice to make a smooth trip and to make sure I don't forget anything, please speak up. Also, I don't have "travel" cages for them. They MUST be seperated as well as they fight.
Traveling w/ Piggies during Hurricane Gustav
Oh no Lyndsay!! I hope it doesn't hit you! Thats scary. I have no tips because I have never been in this kind of situation.
P.S. I'm not coming there anymore! You come here!
P.S. I'm not coming there anymore! You come here!
Could you make a little animal carrier out of extra grids & coroplast?
I'd pack an emergency bag for them with food, waterbottles, dishes, their favorite toy or snuggly. Then you can just grab the bag, put the pigs in a carrier and go, Then your not scrambling around.
I'd pack an emergency bag for them with food, waterbottles, dishes, their favorite toy or snuggly. Then you can just grab the bag, put the pigs in a carrier and go, Then your not scrambling around.
Thats a good idea. Just come here and stay safe. We don't have any hurricane nonsence here.
Ok here's what I'd do.
FILL UP your car with gas TODAY. Keep it as full as you can over the next few days. Check your oil and fluid levels today and top off anything that needs it. If you burn oil, buy some spare. Check your wipers. You're SOL if your car won't work.
You need 2 cat medium to large cat carriers and 2 medium laundry baskets. Line carriers and baskets with towels covered in fleece. The baskets can be stacked inside each other. (I just don't feel carriers get enough air for long term but they are very safe since they're fully enclosed but you could probably do without the baskets.) Ensure you have ways to secure water bottles to both. Bungee cords would be great. I store extra water bottles inside my carriers and always keep a bungee cord around the door to secure it. Make a bundle with towels and fleece and tie it up with twine. This can be useful for pigs and millions of other things. You can find disposable bedding when you get where you're going.
Now you need an animal evacuation box. It should be water proof and have a tight lid. Fill this with as much hay as you can fit and whatever pellets you have on hand. Include any medicine you have, syringes, and health accessories. Pack this up now and store it OUT, where you can get to it quickly.
Be sure you have enough bottled water for both yourself and all your animals.
Now pack yourself a human evacuation box. Include any non perishables you can find, something to eat out of and heat in per person(like a tin and a plastic mug, one for stove, one for microwave). Gather at least a week's worth of clean undies and socks and at least 1 full change of clothes per person. More is better if you can fit it all in your car. Again include any medications and health supplies you have/need. Don't forget to include something like advil, bandages/ointment, and feminine supplies. Flashlights, batteries, and radios are also appropriate in here.
Again, plenty of water. As much as you have on hand. Fill vessels and such. You'll need it for cooking, sanitation, and drinking. If you're going to stay put, fill the bathtubs.
Now, your car should be stuffed to the gills. Get the heck out of dodge!
FILL UP your car with gas TODAY. Keep it as full as you can over the next few days. Check your oil and fluid levels today and top off anything that needs it. If you burn oil, buy some spare. Check your wipers. You're SOL if your car won't work.
You need 2 cat medium to large cat carriers and 2 medium laundry baskets. Line carriers and baskets with towels covered in fleece. The baskets can be stacked inside each other. (I just don't feel carriers get enough air for long term but they are very safe since they're fully enclosed but you could probably do without the baskets.) Ensure you have ways to secure water bottles to both. Bungee cords would be great. I store extra water bottles inside my carriers and always keep a bungee cord around the door to secure it. Make a bundle with towels and fleece and tie it up with twine. This can be useful for pigs and millions of other things. You can find disposable bedding when you get where you're going.
Now you need an animal evacuation box. It should be water proof and have a tight lid. Fill this with as much hay as you can fit and whatever pellets you have on hand. Include any medicine you have, syringes, and health accessories. Pack this up now and store it OUT, where you can get to it quickly.
Be sure you have enough bottled water for both yourself and all your animals.
Now pack yourself a human evacuation box. Include any non perishables you can find, something to eat out of and heat in per person(like a tin and a plastic mug, one for stove, one for microwave). Gather at least a week's worth of clean undies and socks and at least 1 full change of clothes per person. More is better if you can fit it all in your car. Again include any medications and health supplies you have/need. Don't forget to include something like advil, bandages/ointment, and feminine supplies. Flashlights, batteries, and radios are also appropriate in here.
Again, plenty of water. As much as you have on hand. Fill vessels and such. You'll need it for cooking, sanitation, and drinking. If you're going to stay put, fill the bathtubs.
Now, your car should be stuffed to the gills. Get the heck out of dodge!
When is it expected to hit? Do you know? Can they tell these kinds of things? I read it is going through the Gulf, expected to hit Cuba, hopefully it dies down before it gets to you. How long do hurricans last for?
..I'm going to research. Stay safe!!
..I'm going to research. Stay safe!!
It is projected to hit possibly Tuesday but they will let us know by Sunday wether or not to evacuate. When Hurricane Rita hit, everyone was scrambling to get out last second. Now they are very early on calling for evacuations. I believe a hurricane will last as long as the air is just right to feed it. We have a lot of hot air here and I think that is what feeds the hurricane even more. We are located right by the Gulf of Mexico.
I hope its ok to post this, but here is some good info:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/special-reference-topics ... animals.html
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/special-reference-topics ... animals.html
You'll have to let us know on Sunday if you are evacuating or not.
Check your work email.
Check your work email.
Last edited by Quinc-Emma on Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Another thing- take OLD fleece and towels to put in the traveling cages. You probably won't be able to wash the first round while you're traveling, plus it's a small area and the poop will accumulate.
When I moved, I put the pigs in rubbermaid tubs lined with towels and fleece. I cut it to fit in the bottom. I really wish I'd have done this with fabric I could just toss- it was disgusting after 4 hours.
I just read on another board the advice to get large rubbermaid tubs and fill them with 4 or 5 inches of aspen or carefresh. This will last for a long time and you can scoop out soiled parts easily.
When I moved, I put the pigs in rubbermaid tubs lined with towels and fleece. I cut it to fit in the bottom. I really wish I'd have done this with fabric I could just toss- it was disgusting after 4 hours.
I just read on another board the advice to get large rubbermaid tubs and fill them with 4 or 5 inches of aspen or carefresh. This will last for a long time and you can scoop out soiled parts easily.
I will.
I was just remembering back in 2005 when Rita hit how we had to live for 3 weeks. It was kind of sad actually. Bread was the one thing I remembered everyone being out of. Jon and I had to go from store to fast food restuarant to bakery in the town we were staying in for 3 weeks and the only place that would sell us bread was Subway! They were so generous. I'm just worried now having Guinea Pigs with us. I think it should be fine as I have a plan of action. I just don't want them to feel uneasy.
I was just remembering back in 2005 when Rita hit how we had to live for 3 weeks. It was kind of sad actually. Bread was the one thing I remembered everyone being out of. Jon and I had to go from store to fast food restuarant to bakery in the town we were staying in for 3 weeks and the only place that would sell us bread was Subway! They were so generous. I'm just worried now having Guinea Pigs with us. I think it should be fine as I have a plan of action. I just don't want them to feel uneasy.