Download Emergency Information for Pet Owners to discuss with your family and use as a checklist when building your kit for your pets.
1. GET A KIT
Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water.
- Food: Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
- Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets, in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.
- Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
- First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
- Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit.
- Important documents: Place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and include them in your kit.
- Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to relocate in an emergency situation, take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.
- Sanitation: 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. You can use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 8 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water, stir well and let it stand for 30 minutes before use. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches or those with added cleaners.
- 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. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
- Familiar items: Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
Consider two kits. In one, put everything your pets will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you, if you and your pets have to get away.
2. MAKE A PLAN
Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s safety during an emergency.
Relocate. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must relocate, take your pets with you, if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your pets may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance, depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends outside your immediate area who would be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets, or some sort of boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is near a relocation facility, or your family’s meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or relocate your pets, if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your relocation plans, and show them where you keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.
Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. Also talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. If you and your pet are separated, this permanent implant for your pet and corresponding enrollment in a recovery database can help a veterinarian or shelter identify your animal. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to you and your pet being reunited.
Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies, including the Humane Society or ASPCA and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit. Obtain “Pets Inside” stickers, and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the words “Relocated with Pets” across the stickers, should you relocate your home with your pets.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your pets, are the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s important to stay informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region.
Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.
Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners –
YouTube Video
Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners is a unique instructional video containing information for pet owners and suggestions for proactive pet emergency preparedness.
Key moments: emergency supplies, developing a buddy system, microchipping, and things to consider when preparing your family for an emergency.
YouTube, July 2, 2013, 4:22
Finding A Local, Pet-Friendly Evacuation Center: It’s Scary Simple
During an emergency, finding somewhere for your family is stressful enough without having to find somewhere that will accept your pet, too. Finding a local, pet-friendly shelter is simple. YouTube, Mar 2, 2018, 0:10
‘Scary Simple’ is campaigning to educate Americans how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. We strive to empower families to develop a plan to communicate in the case of a disaster. Find out more information on how to prepare for emergencies at Ready.gov.
Prepare Your Pets for Disasters –
Brochure (PDF) from Ready.gov
Prepare Your Pets for Disasters Brochure (PDF)
