Tip 20: practice the route

Posted on the former site on 31 May 2013.

Once you know where your pet will go, practice getting there by more than one road. Learn the back roads in case the highway is jammed. Call ahead so you are expected.

The old tip also listed what to bring: the crate, a familiar toy, the go kit, bowls and extra water.

Ready.gov says to map a main and a backup route for large animals, and the Red Cross says to include pets in evacuation drills so they get used to entering and riding in their carriers.

This tip first appeared on the former Pet Safe Coalition website on 31 May 2013. The advice here was rewritten and checked against the sources below on 4 October 2026.