Evacuation tips for cats during an emergency
Last night my apartment building fire alarm went off around 10 pm due to a gas leak and people quickly began running outside with their pets. There was a strong gas smell that seemed to be getting worse. I have two cats and completely panicked because I could not get them out from under the bed. They were terrified and hiding, darting away every time I tried to grab them, and hissing at me. I genuinely thought I was going to lose them in an explosion or from toxic fumes.
I ran back inside three separate times trying to get them because I could not fathom something happening to them. Eventually my boyfriend practically carried me outside, and the time spent waiting for the firefighters to investigate was excruciating. All logic completely went out the window. I felt like I was actively grieving them before anything had even happened, like my heart was being ripped out of my chest as I literally wailed on the concrete outside.
Anyways, I never want to feel that helpless again. For people with cats who hide during emergencies: what systems do you have in place/how do you quickly evacuate cats that run under beds/furniture when frightened?
I have heard of people who carrier-train their cats, but I worry that in a situation with intensely loud alarms and terrified animals, all training would go out the window. Any practical advice would be greatly appreciated.
Edit: Thank you EVERYONE for all of your suggestions!!! I found my people! It feels so good to know how many of us love our kitties like they are humans. I ended up ordering two extra-large cat carriers to leave out for them to lounge in outside of emergencies, under-the-bed blockers for each bed, and a nice tunnel for an extra hiding space that isn't >200 lbs like the beds are. Btw, I tried the broom each time (they dodged it over and over), and I did try to move the bed. I thought my adrenaline would give me super-strength like a mom lifting a car off their child - I succeeded only in nudging it a few inches 😅