Pet disaster planning
Written from the sources below on 4 October 2026.
This page is new, because the old page at this address could not be recovered. The sources are mostly American. In Canada, ask your local emergency management office what applies to you.
Make a plan
- Include your pets in the family plan. If officials ask you to evacuate, your pet should go too. Ready.gov warns that pets left behind may end up lost, injured or worse.
- Know where you will take your pets. Many shelters and hotels do not allow animals, so find pet-friendly places in advance.
- Agree on a buddy who can care for or evacuate your pet if you cannot.
- Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control for advice about your area.
Build two kits
Ready.gov suggests two kits. A larger one is for sheltering at home. A lighter one is for leaving in a hurry. Check both on a schedule so food and medicine stay fresh.
- Food and water. The ASPCA suggests 7 to 10 days of food and at least 7 days of bottled water for each person and pet.
- Medicine, with a spare supply in a waterproof container.
- A first aid kit. Ask your vet what suits your pet.
- A collar with a tag, a harness or leash, and a backup set.
- A carrier or crate for each pet.
- Litter and a box, trash bags, paper towels, and bleach for cleaning.
- A photo of you with your pet, and copies of registration and health records.
- A favorite toy or blanket. Familiar things can calm an animal.
Identification
Put a tag on your pet. Microchip it if you can, and keep the contact details current, including someone outside your area. The Red Cross also says to keep vaccinations current, since many shelters ask for proof.
Getting a pet used to travel
Leave the carrier open where your pet likes to rest. Put treats and a soft blanket inside. Note where your pet hides, so you can find it fast.
Horses, goats, pigs and other large animals
Ready.gov says to give every animal some identification, to leave early when you can, and to map a main and a backup route. You need the trailers and experienced handlers ready, and a destination with food, water and vet care. The ASPCA adds that horses should be used to a halter and to loading into a trailer, and that owners should set up a phone tree with other horse owners nearby.
Birds, reptiles and small animals
The ASPCA says to move birds in a secure carrier, to keep leg bands on, and to keep photos handy. Small animals need secure carriers, bedding, food and a water bottle.
After the emergency
The Red Cross says a pet may act differently after a disaster, and may be frightened or defensive. Keep animals under your direct control, because fences and gates may be damaged. Watch for debris and spilled chemicals at nose and paw level. Call your vet if behavior problems last.
If you need help finding an organization near you, start with Find local help.
Sponsor note: Purrify, which runs this site, sells an activated carbon additive for cat litter. If you keep a cat, see Purrify. The link is sponsored.