Emergency: Evacuating from fire

[rorostortoise]

Hello everyone,
I need help. There is a fire that is expected to spread 7 miles tomorrow, putting my house in danger. I will not be able to stay home and will absolutely not leave my tortoise behind for the day because if I'm in the evacuation zone, I won't be able to go back in and get him. He is almost 9 lbs with a 10 inch caparce. How can I transport him most safely? I have a large tank from when he was a baby but he can easily climb out of it now. I know I am probably being paranoid but if I leave him home and the evacuation zone consumes my house, all I can do is hope he doesn't die, not to mention that would be leaving him without food and water for an indefinite amount of time. I want to keep him as calm as possible. Any advice, tips, or suggestions? @Yvonne G @Tom @ZEROPILOT

 

[KarenSoCal]

Do you by any chance have a dog crate made of plastic? The kind that is closed in, approved for airplane travel? That would work. Or even a big cardboard box, lined with newspaper for easier cleanup. I would leave the top flaps on the box so you could close it, giving him more security.

He will probably poop a LOT, so be prepared for that. They can go a long time without food or water, so you don't need to put any in his box/carrier while driving. It will help you keep the box cleaner.

Another possibility is a plastic bin like you buy to store stuff in. If you have the lid, take it with you. If you're gone for several days, try feeding and watering him on the lid. Again, for easier cleaning up.

Do you have any hand warmers like for being outside in the cold? Once activated and put in the enclosure it would help keep him warm if needed. You don't know exactly what your circumstances will be over the next couple days, so you can't be sure you won't need a heat source. If necessary, a stop at a Walmart could get you all you need...carrying crate or storage box, hand warmers (in camping section), and whatever else you might want.

I will be praying for your house to be spared, and for your safety and for your tortoise.

 

[COmtnLady]

Also - If you end up in a shelter or staying with someone, for heat fill plastic pop or milk bottle(s) with HOT water, put the lid on tight and put it inside the container with him. If you end up in a vehicle, keep the container near the heater and let it blow hot air on the side often enough to keep him warm.

.

 

[Tom]

Hello everyone,
I need help. There is a fire that is expected to spread 7 miles tomorrow, putting my house in danger. I will not be able to stay home and will absolutely not leave my tortoise behind for the day because if I'm in the evacuation zone, I won't be able to go back in and get him. He is almost 9 lbs with a 10 inch caparce. How can I transport him most safely? I have a large tank from when he was a baby but he can easily climb out of it now. I know I am probably being paranoid but if I leave him home and the evacuation zone consumes my house, all I can do is hope he doesn't die, not to mention that would be leaving him without food and water for an indefinite amount of time. I want to keep him as calm as possible. Any advice, tips, or suggestions? @Yvonne G @Tom @ZEROPILOT

I use big rubber tubs from "feed stores", horse supply places, to soak or transport larger tortoises. They are essentially horse troughs. I have 40, 90 and 110 gallon sizes.

 

[wellington]

I agree with Tom. Get a large tote box. Get prepared now with maybe a basking lamp, some food and the tote. When/if you have to go, the tort will have to tuff it out in whatever way you can provide for him until you can go back home. Please don't leave him. If your house goes it's likely he will to.
Good luck, I can't imagine, keep us posted.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Wishing you good luck!

 

[Ink]

I would put him in a backpack or purse if you need to for an emergency evacuation. Good luck. Keep us posted and be safe

 

[Maggie3fan]

You can use a 65 watt incandescent bulb for warmth and basking if needed...He will be fine, and in my case I put my tort in a wooden box with a lid, so he would just sleep in the dark box until you needed to move him...good luck

 

[wellington]

I would put him in a backpack or purse if you need to for an emergency evacuation. Good luck. Keep us posted and be safe

Yuck, that would be a mess in a hurry and not give a place for him to stay until they can get back. I'm a last stitch effort that's better than nothing I guess, but seeing they are getting fair warning ahead of time, better to plan ahead for days, not hours.

 

[Ink]

Yuck, that would be a mess in a hurry and not give a place for him to stay until they can get back. In a last stitch effort that's better than nothing I guess. But seeing they are getting fair warning ahead of time, better to plan ahead for days, not hours.

It would be messy but if you had to, something is better than nothing m

 

[rorostortoise]

I would put him in a backpack or purse if you need to for an emergency evacuation. Good luck. Keep us posted and be safe

If it came down to that I would probably have more success carrying him like a baby or a sandwich

 

[rorostortoise]

Thank you so much everyone! I have a setup for him that will work for a few days. I found a 6x3 ft cardbaord box in my garage, lined the bottom with plywood, then covered it with old clothes and blankets. I did have a box of hand warmers, so I unwrapped three and put them under the blanket. I got a box of Mazuri tort kibble and a little bowl for water. As expected, when we were driving he was scared, pooping everywhere, breathing fast, etc. I changed out some of his fabrics so it stays clean. He and I are safe, and it is looking unlikely the fire will burn our house down. No power but a bank, so no bulb til we get home. It's warm enough outside that he can walk in the sun if time permits. I'll be logged off for a few days, but I wanted to thank everyone for all the advice. I really don't know what I would've done without this forum's advice over the last year and 2 months. @Ink @wellington @Maggie3fan @Tom @COmtnLady @The_Four_Toed_Edward @KarenSoCal

 

[wellington]

Sounds great be safe and good news about the house likely being safe.

 

[COmtnLady]

Thank you so much everyone! I have a setup for him that will work for a few days. I found a 6x3 ft cardbaord box in my garage, lined the bottom with plywood, then covered it with old clothes and blankets. I did have a box of hand warmers, so I unwrapped three and put them under the blanket. I got a box of Mazuri tort kibble and a little bowl for water. As expected, when we were driving he was scared, pooping everywhere, breathing fast, etc. I changed out some of his fabrics so it stays clean. He and I are safe, and it is looking unlikely the fire will burn our house down. No power but a bank, so no bulb til we get home. It's warm enough outside that he can walk in the sun if time permits. I'll be logged off for a few days, but I wanted to thank everyone for all the advice. I really don't know what I would've done without this forum's advice over the last year and 2 months. @Ink @wellington @Maggie3fan @Tom @COmtnLady @The_Four_Toed_Edward @KarenSoCal

Be safe. Keep us posted if you can.

 

[rorostortoise]

We are settled back in at home, have been for a few days. He has been walking around the house with me, and I found him curled up next to my bed under a blanket (he is not Houdini, my bed is on the floor). If anyone nees to evacuate with their tort, I strongly recommend putting clothes that smell like you in their situation with them, it definitely kept him more calm. He is a very social little buddy and spent most of the time sitting next to me or on my leg. There is always food and water for him, so I know he isn't hungry. We're all winterized and ready for fall!

 

[Ink]

I'm so happy that you and your tortoise are well!