Disasters and emergencies can happen at any time. Being prepared can make all the difference in keeping your pets safe. The following information will help you plan ahead to protect your pets in case of an emergency.

• Animal Owners
• Emergency Managers

Find a Safe Place to Stay Ahead of Time
Many emergency shelters do not allow animals, so have a plan for your pet. Safe places to take your pet may include homes of friends or relatives, pet friendly hotels, pet kennels, and veterinary facilities.

• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information about emergency pet sheltering in your area.
• Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate allow pets well in advance of needing them. There are a number of web sites that list pet friendly hotels and motels.
• Prepare a list of safe places and contact numbers.
• Practice loading your pets into carriers and your vehicle.

Find pet friendly hotels

Make a Pet Disaster Supplies Kit
Before you find yourself in an emergency situation, consider packing a pet disaster supplies kit that contains the essentials — if you need to evacuate, you can just “grab it and go.”

• At least a 3 day supply of food and water with bowls (include can opener, if necessary)
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and ensure they can't escape. Carriers should be large enough to allow your pet to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down
• Medications and pet first aid kit
• Copies of vaccination certificates, medical records, and a photo of you and your pet (for identification) in a waterproof container
• Plastic bags, disinfectants, and paper towels to collect all pets’ waste- for cats, a litter box, litter, and scoop
• Familiar items such as toys and treats

Pack the kit in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels and store it where it is easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry.

Download a printable check list

Start a Pet Care Buddy System
There may be times that you can't get home to take care of your pets. Icy roads may trap you at the office overnight, an accident may send you to the hospital—things happen.  But you can make sure your pets get the care they need by making arrangements now:

• Exchange keys with a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member who can evacuate or care for your animals if you are not home when disaster strikes.
• Let your pet care buddy know where your pets' food is, where you normally feed them, and if they need any medication.
• Make sure your pet care buddy is comfortable and familiar with your pets (and vice versa).
• If you use a pet sitting service, find out in advance if they will be able to help in case of an emergency.

ID Your Pet

• Ensure that your pet wears a collar with up-to-date identification and rabies tag at all times.  Identification on indoor only pets is especially important- if your home is damaged during a disaster, they could easily escape.
• Put your cell phone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area—in case you have had to evacuate.
• Consult your veterinarian about permanent identification such as microchipping.  Permanent identification is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated.

Take a Picture
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.

Help Emergency Workers Help Your Pets

• Use a rescue alert sticker to let emergency workers know that pets are inside your home.  Make sure it is visible to rescue workers and that it includes the types and number of pets in your household.
• If you evacuate with your pets (and if time allows) write "EVACUATED" across the stickers so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for them.

Order free pet rescue alert decals

Heat Wave
High temperatures don't just make your pets uncomfortable; they can be dangerous. Here are basic guidelines for summer safety.

• Never leave your pets in a parked car. Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on.
• Don't rely on a fan. They don't cool off pets as effectively as they do people.
• Provide lots of shade and water. Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. Limit exercise on hot days to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets who, because of their short noses, typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible.
• Look for signs of heatstroke, including heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
• Treat suspected heatstroke immediately. Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Take her directly to a veterinarian.

The Electricity Goes Out

• If you stay at home during a summer power outage, ask your local emergency management office if there are pet-friendly cooling centers in the area.
• If you're forced to leave your home because you have lost electricity, take your pets. If it's summer, even just an hour or two in the sweltering heat, whether outdoors or inside, can be dangerous. If it's winter, don't be fooled by your pets' fur coats; it isn't safe to leave them in an un-heated house.

• Rule number one: If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. Even if you think you will only be gone for a few hours, take your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back for your pets.
  Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Those left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows.  Pets turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.
• Rule number two: Evacuate early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited to be evacuated by emergency officials have been told to leave their pets behind.
  The smell of smoke, high winds or lightening may make your pet more fearful and difficult to load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process less stressful.

• Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep pets under your direct control; if you have to evacuate, you will not have to spend time trying to find them. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification.
• Be sure to close your windows and doors, stay inside, and follow the instructions from your local emergency management office.
• If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Make that safe area animal friendly:
  • If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape.  Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide.
• Move dangerous items such as tools or toxic products that have been stored in the area.
• Put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet's crate and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers along with your other emergency supplies.
• Listen to the radio periodically, and don't come out until you know it's safe.

• Your home may be a very different place after the emergency is over, and it may be hard for your pets to adjust.
• Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations.
• While you assess the damage, keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, your pets could escape.
• Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible. Be ready for behavioral problems caused by the stress of the situation. If these problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.
• If your community has been flooded, search your home and yard for wild animals who may have sought refuge there. Stressed wildlife can pose a threat to you and your pet.

Helpful Links

Find your local emergency manager

Find motels and hotels that allow pets:
Bring Fido
Dog Friendly
Pet Friendly Hotels
Pets Allowed
Pets Welcome
Go Pet Friendly

Read animal specific tips in English and Spanish

Download a printable pet disaster supplies kit check list

Order free pet rescue alert stickers