September 1st is “Disaster Prevention Day” in Japan. Furthermore, the period from September to October is the peak season for major typhoons making landfall. Are your disaster preparedness supplies for your dog or cat fully ready?

Standard pet disaster guidelines often say, “Practice putting your pet in a crate and evacuating to a designated shelter together.” However, for residents of high-rise apartments, this conventional wisdom is not always the correct answer. If elevators stop during a disaster, carrying your pet down dozens of flights of stairs and living under the strict rules of a public shelter is, in reality, extremely difficult.

Today, from a veterinarian’s perspective, I will explain a specialized pet disaster preparedness strategy for high-rise residents, focusing on “sheltering in place” (staying home to survive) by taking advantage of your building’s sturdy construction.

■ The Biggest Hurdle of High-Rise Disasters: “Stopped Elevators” and “Isolation”

When a major earthquake or a massive power outage caused by a typhoon occurs, elevators in high-rise apartments automatically shut down as a safety precaution. It is not uncommon for recovery to take anywhere from a few days to over a week.

Since modern high-rise apartments have excellent earthquake-resistant and base-isolated structures, the risk of the building itself collapsing is low. Therefore, rather than forcing an evacuation to a shelter, “sheltering in place” at home is often safer and far less stressful for your pet. However, this is strictly based on the premise that you are fully prepared to survive an isolated situation where electricity, gas, and water are cut off, and outside relief supplies cannot reach the upper floors.

■ Sheltering in Place on High Floors: 3 Essential Lifelines You Must Prepare

1. The High-Rise Rule: Water and Food for “At Least 7 Days (Preferably 10)”

While general disaster guidelines recommend a “3-day stockpile,” transporting supplies to upper floors in a high-rise becomes incredibly difficult. Therefore, a stockpile of “at least 7 days” is necessary.
This is especially critical for pets on therapeutic diets (prescription food for specific illnesses), as you will almost certainly not find these in emergency relief supplies. Also, be sure to stock up on “soft water” (low-mineral pet drinking water) specifically for your pet, separate from the human water supply.

2. The Toilet Problem During Water Outages: Pet Sheets Can Save Human Toilets

When a high-rise apartment loses power, the water pumps stop, leading to a complete water outage. This means flush toilets become entirely unusable. This is where “pet pee pads” and “odor-proof bags” (like BOS bags) become lifesavers.
Because pet sheets have excellent absorbency and deodorizing properties, you can cover your toilet bowl with a plastic garbage bag and line the inside with pet sheets to create a makeshift emergency toilet for humans. A smart high-rise disaster hack is to always keep an extra cardboard box of pet pee pads in stock during normal times, to serve both your pets and your family.

3. Preventing “Shattered Windows” and “Panic Escapes” During Typhoons

Winds are much stronger on higher floors than at ground level, meaning your apartment will bear the brunt of intense wind pressure as autumn typhoons approach. To prepare for the worst-case scenario of flying debris shattering a window, it is essential to apply shatterproof film to the glass or keep your curtains closed and secured tightly with clips.
Additionally, the swaying of the building and the terrifying sound of howling winds can cause dogs and cats to panic. To prevent a panicked pet from falling out of a broken window or escaping through the front door, make absolutely sure they stay safely inside their cage or crate in a secure room during the peak of the typhoon.

■ Conclusion: Everyday “Habituation” Saves Lives in an Emergency

No matter how wonderful the disaster preparedness goods you buy are, they are meaningless if your pet is too frightened to use them. Make “crate training” an everyday habit so your pet can spend time calmly inside, and practice a “rolling stock” method (consuming and replenishing) by feeding them from your emergency food stash periodically.

Evacuating from a high floor is unimaginably grueling even for humans alone. The only thing that can protect your precious dog or cat is your “advance preparation” as their owner. This Disaster Prevention Day, please review your stockpile list and discuss a “custom shelter-in-place manual” for your pet with your family.

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