Pets in Emergencies
People sometimes delay evacuating, or go back into danger, because of their pets. In past disasters some people died because they refused to leave animals behind. Planning ahead keeps the whole family, pets included, safer, and it makes a stressful evacuation much easier. A pet plan is part of your family plan.
- Families
Photo: pet emergency kit with food, water, leash, carrier and records
The first rule: take them with you
- If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. Pets left behind can be hurt, lost or killed, and they can’t open doors or find food and clean water.
- Leave early. If you wait for an order and the roads are jammed, getting animals into carriers and cars takes longer than you think.
- Never leave pets tied, chained or locked in a crate, a garage or a car. Open-air release is not a plan either, since animals may flee, be hit by cars or fight with other animals.
- Never go back into a dangerous area for a pet. Ask emergency workers for help instead.
Pet emergency kit
- Food and water for at least three to seven days (follow your local guidance), bowls and a manual can opener
- Medicines and copies of vaccination and medical records, including rabies certificates and proof of ownership
- Leash, harness, and a sturdy carrier or crate big enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in, one per animal
- Litter and pan, or waste bags and cleaning supplies
- A current photo of you with your pet, and a photo of the pet alone, for identification
- Your vet’s contact information, and a list of feeding schedules, medical needs and behavior notes
- Pet first aid kit and any needed supplies such as a favorite toy or blanket for comfort
- A copy of the emergency contact numbers for a boarding facility and animal control
Keep the kit in a spot you can grab quickly and replace food, water and medicines on a schedule. See Building an Emergency Kit and Family Emergency Plan.
Plan ahead
- Identify your pets. Microchip them and keep the registration current with your phone number. Use ID tags and a collar with your cell phone number. Also add an out-of-area contact.
- Find a place to go. Many emergency shelters for people don’t take pets, though many have changed their plans. Ask your local emergency management office. Find pet-friendly hotels and motels along your evacuation routes, friends or family outside the area, boarding kennels and veterinary hospitals.
- Arrange for help. If you’re at work or away when a disaster strikes, set up a trusted neighbor, friend or pet sitter who can get your pets and has a key and permission to do so.
- Practice. Get pets used to carriers, and run drills getting them into the car quickly. Cats and small animals are hardest to catch, so keep carriers where they are easy to reach, not buried in storage.
- Keep vaccinations current. Shelters and boarding facilities often require proof.
- Make a pet “rescue alert” sticker for your front door or window to tell first responders how many pets are inside and your phone number, and update it. Some fire departments recommend them.
Shelters and service animals
- After Hurricane Katrina, Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act in 2006. It requires state and local emergency plans to consider the needs of people with household pets and service animals, to qualify for federal disaster help.
- Service animals are allowed in shelters and are not pets. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability must be allowed to stay with their handler.
- Shelters that take pets often have rules about vaccines, crates and a separate area. Bring what they need.
Different disasters, different steps
| Situation | What to do for pets |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes and floods | Evacuate early. Floodwater is dirty and can hide hazards. See Hurricanes & Floods |
| Wildfire | Leave early with carriers in the car. Smoke harms pets too, so keep them inside with clean air. See Wildfires |
| Tornadoes and earthquakes | Bring pets into your safe room if you can do it quickly, with a carrier or leash. After shaking, watch for frightened pets that may run. See Tornadoes and Earthquakes |
| Power outages and extreme weather | Keep pets cool in heat or warm in cold, with fresh water. Never leave pets in a parked car. Special animals like reptiles and fish need heat or air. See Extreme Heat and Winter Storms |
| Shelter in place | Keep pets inside, with food, water, a litter box and a calm space. Keep them away from hazards and glass |
| Fire at home | Get out first and keep a leash and carrier near the exit. See Home Fire Escape Plan |
Other animals
- Birds need a secure travel cage and covering, and fresh water. Birds are sensitive to fumes and smoke.
- Small animals like hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs need a carrier, bedding, food, and protection from heat and cold.
- Reptiles and fish need a way to keep them warm or aerated. Have a plan for heating, and transport in secure, insulated containers.
- Horses and livestock need a plan for trailers, evacuation routes, destinations, ID and care. Practice loading. Talk to your local emergency management or extension office.
After the emergency
- Check your pet for injuries, stress and signs of illness. Call your vet if needed. Frightened pets may act differently and may bite.
- Walk pets on a leash and watch for hazards such as debris, broken glass, downed power lines, contaminated water and wildlife. See Disaster Cleanup and Downed Power Lines.
- Give clean water only, and watch for animals that were in floodwater.
- If a pet is hurt by another animal, see Dog Bites & Animal Attacks.
- If a pet is missing, contact local shelters, animal control and veterinary clinics, and post a flyer with a photo. Check shelters in person, and register with online lost pet sites. Chip registration helps reunite you.
- Pets can be traumatized, so keep routines steady and give extra care.
Pet emergency checklist
- Pets microchipped, with ID tags and a current photo
- A kit with food, water, medicines, records, carrier and leash is ready
- I know pet-friendly places on my evacuation routes
- A neighbor or friend can get my pets if I can’t
- I will evacuate early and take my pets with me
- I know what to do after the emergency
Standards & references
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