You never plan to be stranded. Nobody does. But winter, especially in Alberta, has a way of deciding these things for you. Whether it’s a whiteout on the highway, a vehicle that won’t start, or the gridlock of the first real snow fall when everyone all at once forgets how to drive.

This will be our first time preparing a winter vehicle kit, here’s what we’re going to put together this month and why.

The Cold Weather Additions that Matter Most

Insulation Beats Heat. If you’re planning to stay warm by keeping your vehicle running, think again. Emergency agencies consistently warn that cold cars are dangerous in their own right: the ASPCA notes that a car in winter can act like a refrigerator, holding in the cold. Oklahoma State University’s veterinary team recommends bringing blankets into the car so your dog can burrow in and keep warn. An insulated blanket or foam pad for the crate or car seta, plus an extra spare layer will do more for your dog than anything else on this list.

Water that isn’t a Popsicle. Water bottles freeze surprisingly quick in a vehicle. If you’re able, store water inside an insulated bag in the cab and rotate it out regularly. Pack a collapsible bowl so you can give water to your dog without making a mess.

Food for the Wait. State emergency-management guidance for pet storm kits suggests stocking for several days of food and water. Stress, in addition to the cold, burns energy, and a familiar meal or snack can be genuinely calming in an sticky situation. The American Humane Society notes that stating warm requires extra calories, as cold weather can change your dog’s needs.

Light and Visibility. By yourself you might be able to stay inside the car the entire time you’re stranded, but with a dog there’s a small chance you might need to let them out to do their business. This is not recommended. Whenever possible, stay inside your vehicle. If your dog absolutely needs to go and cannot wait, you want to ensure you can be seen from as far away as possible. Pack a headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries and ensure your car contains reflective gear for both you and your dog.

Getting Unstuck. In cases where you can help yourself, packing a small shovel, a bag of sand or kitty litter (for traction), and jumper cables can aid in a lot of winter vehicle problems.

Staying Dry. A wet dog in a cold car is a recipe for hypothermia. We’re packing a dry towel in the car this winter to keep the snow and slush off Nutmeg so she enters her car crate dry and maintains the best chance at keeping warm in case of an emergency.

The Vehicle Set Up. Although not necessarily part of your kit, your vehicle set up can make a huge difference in keeping your dog safe during a winter emergency. The American Humane Society recommends properly retraining or crating pets in vehicles before any trip. This is especially true in the winter. During a chaotic scene, a secure crate and a spare leash you don’t have to dig for are worth their weight in gold. We leave a biothane leash hanging on our Ruffland year round just in case.

Identification and Paperwork that Talks if You Can’t. Keep ID tags current and copies of your dog’s paperwork inside the vehicle. State preparedness guidance specifically suggests keeping a recent photo of your pet with medical records and proof-of-ownership documents, as well as emergency contact information where rescuers can find it. An emergency contact sheet in the visor does exactly this. If you’re injured or shaken up, this page can speak for both you and your dog.

If You Get Stranded:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s winter driving guidance is built around one core instruction: stay with your car. It’s shelter, it’s visible. and it makes you far easier to find than one person and a dog wandering in the ditch. Keep your dog leashed or crated, an open door on a winter road story is how missing dog stories start. If you must run the engine for warmth, the recommendation is to run it roughly five to ten minutes per hour, checking that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow at all times, and leaving a window slightly cracked for ventilation to mitigate risk of carbon monoxide. Call for help whenever you can and avoid attempting to walk to safety.

You can grab our FREE printable emergency contact sheet for your vehicle at this link: https://canva.link/spx1mh6wdta7q6o

And if you’re interested in the full system, from vehicle and evacuation plans to the details only you know about your dog, we’ve built a workbook for exactly that. You can check it out on our Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NutmegTheRescue

Sources:

• ASPCA, “Cold Weather Safety Tips”: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
• Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Cold Cars and Pets”: https://news.okstate.edu/articles/veterinary-medicine/2018/cold-cars-and-pets.html
• Michigan Department of Homeland Security (MiReady), “Winter Weather and Pets”: https://www.michigan.gov/miready/be-informed/winter-prep/winter-weather-and-pets
• American Humane, “Safe Winter Travel with Pets”: https://www.americanhumane.org/public-education/winter-travel-with-pets/
• Michigan State Police (NHTSA guidance), “Know How to Handle Winter Driving Emergencies”: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/ohsp-traffic-safety-programs/winter-driving/know-how-to-handle-winter-driving-emergencies