Preparedness for Pets

Get your pet ready for emergencies

Your pets are important family members and must be included in your family’s emergency plan. To prepare for the unexpected, follow these tips with your pets in mind:

• Make a plan.
• Build an emergency kit.
• Stay informed.

Make A Plan

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress, and worry when deciding during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, your pet should evacuate, too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured, or worse.

Things to include in your plan:

• Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.
• Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to ensure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
• Have your pet microchipped. Keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
• If you’re unsure how to care for your pet in an emergency, contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office for additional advice and information.

Build A Kit for Your Pet

Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits: one larger kit for sheltering in place and one lightweight version for evacuating. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.

Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:

• Food: Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water: Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
• Medicine: Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes regularly in a waterproof container.
• First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
• Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash: Include a backup leash, collar, and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
• A travel bag, crate, or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
• Grooming items: Pet shampoo, conditioner, and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
• Sanitation needs: Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
• A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
• Familiar items: Include your pet's favorite toys, treats, or bedding in your kit. These items can help reduce stress.

Prepare Pets for Travel

When evacuating your home, it’s important to bring your pets. Because you may need to put your cat or dog into a pet carrier, it’s important that they’re comfortable with the experience. Follow these tips to reduce their stress:

• Leave the carrier out in places your pet frequently visits
• Leave the carrier open
• Feed them treats near the carrier – you can even try putting a few treats inside the carrier
• Add a favorite blanket or small bed inside the carrier so it smells familiar
• Note where your pets hide so you can easily find them in case you have to leave your house quickly.