Pet Emergency Preparedness: Keep Your Animals Safe in Any Disaster
During Hurricane Katrina, an estimated 600,000 pets were killed or stranded. The PETS Act now requires evacuation plans to include animals, but the responsibility still falls on you. Here is how to build a pet emergency kit, plan evacuation routes, and find pet-friendly shelters before disaster strikes.
Pet Emergency Kit Checklist
Pack this kit in advance and store it near your own emergency supplies. Replace food and medications every 6 months.
- 3 to 7 days of food in sealed, waterproof containers
- 3 to 7 days of bottled water (one gallon per day for large dogs)
- Medications and copies of prescriptions
- Vaccination records and microchip documentation
- Sturdy leash, harness, and collar with ID tags
- Carrier or crate (one per pet, airline-approved if possible)
- Recent photos of each pet (for identification if lost)
- Bowls for food and water
- Waste bags, litter, and litter box for cats
- Pet first aid kit (gauze, vet wrap, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers)
- Familiar blanket or toy to reduce stress
- Contact information for your vet and nearest emergency vet clinic
Evacuation Planning for Pets
Identify Pet-Friendly Shelters
Not all emergency shelters accept animals. Contact your local emergency management agency to find pet-friendly shelters before a disaster. The ASPCA maintains a disaster preparedness resource at aspca.org. Many hotels along evacuation routes accept pets during emergencies even if they normally do not.
Arrange a Buddy System
Exchange keys and emergency plans with a trusted neighbor who can evacuate your pets if you are not home when disaster strikes. Make sure they know where your pet emergency kit is stored, where to find carriers, and which vet to contact.
Microchip and Tag Every Animal
Collars can slip off. Microchips are permanent. Make sure your contact information is current in the chip registry (check at petmicrochiplookup.org). Include your phone number, a secondary contact, and your vet's number on collar tags.
Practice Loading and Transporting
In an emergency, scared pets may resist carriers. Practice getting pets into carriers and into your vehicle regularly. Keep carriers accessible, not buried in a closet. For cats, leave the carrier out with the door open and treats inside so they associate it with safety.
Plan for Large Animals and Livestock
Horses, goats, and other livestock need trailer transport. Identify evacuation routes that accommodate trailers. Contact your county extension office for livestock evacuation resources. Have halters and lead ropes accessible for quick loading.
During the Emergency
Shelter-in-Place
Bring all pets indoors immediately. Close windows, seal pet doors, and move aquariums or terrariums away from windows. Keep dogs leashed even indoors in case you need to move quickly.
Evacuating by Car
Secure pets in carriers or with seatbelt harnesses. Never leave pets loose in the vehicle. Bring the emergency kit, keep windows up, and never leave pets in parked cars even briefly.
Managing Pet Stress
Disasters cause extreme anxiety in animals. Maintain routine feeding times when possible. Familiar items (blankets, toys) help. Watch for signs of distress: excessive panting, hiding, refusal to eat, or aggression.
After the Disaster
Do not let pets roam freely after a disaster. Familiar landmarks and scents may be gone. Downed power lines, contaminated water, and debris pose serious dangers. Keep dogs leashed and cats confined until the area is safe.