In the event of Marin experiencing any emergency, whether it be wildland fire, an earthquake, flooding or a tsunami on the coast, immediate evacuation is the top priority. While job one is getting people out safely, advance disaster preparation includes anticipating the need to evacuate man’s best friend along with all pets.

Pets play a major role in the lives of many of us. Advanced planning is essential for our furry friends to leave with us when sirens are blaring and cell phones beep.

I asked Marin Humane for statistics on local pet ownership. Between September and November 2023, it conducted a mail and online survey of 604 randomly selected Marin County residents and 907 Marin Humane constituents. The latter is defined as anyone who has adopted an animal at the humane society’s Bel Marin Keys shelter, come to one of their events, visited the Kitty Corner in San Anselmo or taken a dog training class.

Marin Humane reports that, “Two thirds of Marin County residents (68%), and almost nine out of ten constituents (88%), have a pet in their household.

Almost half of the county’s residents (47%) have a dog at home, and more than one-quarter (28%) have a cat, while 7% have other types of pets.

Among Marin Humane constituents, 65% have a dog, 41% have a cat, and 12% have other pets.”

Planning prevents potential tragedies that can be avoided. Humans often know when to evacuate — pets don’t. Experiences show that folks often spend valuable time searching for their pet and, thus, delaying evacuation until it’s too late. Having a plan in place will decrease that risk. Even if humans are forced to depart without their pets, there are ways to increase the survivability of cats and dogs.

The first rule for every pet owner should be to have a ready-to-go pet carrier for travel. They’re available for under $40. Make pets familiar with your pet carrier so they aren’t afraid or confused when it’s time to go. My son’s family lives in the wooded hills of San Rafael.

The portable pet travel carrier is kept in the living room. Their cat, Luna, spends time hiding out in her familiar, cozy nook.

Marin Humane’s Lisa Bloch says, “If you love your pet, plan, plan, plan: Take photos of your pet’s medical records on your iPhone. Have a ready-to-go kit and keep it inside or near your pet travel carrier.”

Dogs need a veterinarian-installed microchip implanted under their skin. Each chip has an identification number and telephone number for the chip’s registry.

***

It’s not often that candidates for state constitutional office come out of Marin. We’re a small county with a population of about 255,000. Local voters tend to be well educated, informed and prosperous. While that demographic is common along California’s Golden Coast, it can spur resentment and a bit of jealousy in those residing in less blessed locales.

Two past Marin elected officials have thrown their hats into the ring for the state’s No. 2 post: lieutenant governor. It’s a job with one duty: presiding at state Senate sessions. Other than liaison assignments (like being a member of the University of California Board of Regents), that’s about it. The termed-out incumbent, Eleni Kounalakis, is running for governor.

In recent months, past Sausalito mayor Janelle Kellman, a Democrat, has been campaigning all over the state for the post. An ultramarathon swimmer, she founded the Center for Sea Rise Solutions to assist coastal communities adapting to climate change and sustainable tourism.

Last week former Novato mayor Josh Fryday entered the same race to be the Democrats’ lieutenant governor nominee in the June 2026 primary. Fryday, a past Naval officer, is currently a member of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration as chief service officer leading California’s volunteer and civic engagement efforts.

Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.