This is something we don’t like to think about, but disasters do happen and if you haven’t made a plan you’re not going to function very well in the heat of the moment. Your pets are part of the family and they’re counting on you to know what to do. When all hell’s breaking loose and there’s chaos all around, the cats will naturally be freaked out. (And so will everybody else.) Some advance planning is the only thing that will make the difference between a safe outcome and tragedy.
I found this article by Dusty Rainbolt that gives some very practical advice for being prepared for any circumstance. I really suggest you go to this site (address below) and read the whole thing, then make your plan and be sure everybody involved is familiar with it.
According to the American Kennel Club, approximately 500,000 pets are affected by house fires every year. In the event your kitchen catches fire or you’re ordered to evacuate, you need an emergency plan in place that includes your cats.
Some ideas include having your pet carriers where they can be accessed easily, attaching a pet alert sticker to your window, training your cat to go into the carrier on command … (well, good luck on that one — I’ve never been very successful at getting my Rosie to do anything “on command”. You might say she has a mind of her own.) Also covered are things you need to consider on your evacuation kit and lots more. Just read the article. You’ll be glad you did.
via: Be Prepared for a Disaster: Our Tips for Evacuating with Cats