Emergency Preparedness With Pets: A Complete Guide

Your Pets Are Part of Your Emergency Plan

When families plan for emergencies, pets are often an afterthought -- addressed in the moment rather than in advance. But the reality is that more than 67% of American households include at least one pet, and during an emergency, your animals need the same forethought as any other household member.

Planning for pets takes about 30 additional minutes on top of your regular emergency preparation, and the payoff is enormous: less stress for you, less stress for your animal, and decisions made calmly rather than in the middle of a crisis.

The Pet Emergency Kit

Just like each human household member needs supplies, your pet needs a dedicated kit. Store it alongside your family emergency supplies.

For All Pets

• Food: 7-day supply in an airtight, waterproof container. Rotate using the FIFO method -- use the oldest food for daily feeding and replace from the back.
• Water: 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day for dogs, 0.5 ounces per pound for cats. For a 50-pound dog, that is roughly 3.5 gallons for a 7-day supply.
• Medications: 14-day supply of all regular medications (heartworm, flea/tick, prescription medications). Include written dosage instructions.
• Copies of veterinary records: Vaccination records, proof of rabies vaccination, spay/neuter certificates. These are required by most shelters and may be needed at evacuation centers.
• Recent photos of your pet: In case you are separated. Include a photo of you with your pet to prove ownership.
• Microchip information: Your pet's microchip number and the registry it is registered with. Verify your contact information is current with the registry.

For Dogs

• Sturdy leash and collar with ID tags (current phone number and address)
• Harness (for dogs that pull, especially in stressful situations)
• Portable water bowl (collapsible silicone bowls weigh nothing and pack flat)
• Poop bags (at least a 14-day supply)
• Familiar blanket or toy (reduces anxiety in unfamiliar settings)
• Muzzle (even calm dogs may bite when scared or injured -- having one available protects everyone)
• Crate or carrier sized appropriately for your dog

For Cats

• Secure carrier (hard-sided is safer for evacuation; soft-sided is lighter)
• Portable litter box and a bag of litter (7-day supply)
• Litter scoop and waste bags
• Familiar blanket or towel (draping the carrier reduces stress for most cats)
• Harness and leash (cats in unfamiliar environments may bolt; a harness prevents loss)

For Small Animals (Birds, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Reptiles)

• Appropriate travel carrier with secure latching
• Species-specific food (7-day supply)
• Bedding material (7-day supply)
• For reptiles: Portable heat source (chemical hand warmers work in emergencies, placed outside the enclosure)
• For birds: Cover for the cage to reduce stress during transport

Evacuation Planning With Pets

One of the most critical elements of pet preparedness is knowing where you will go with your animals during an evacuation. Not all options are pet-friendly, so planning ahead prevents difficult decisions under pressure.

Pet-Friendly Options to Research Now

Hotels and motels along your evacuation route: Many hotels accept pets, especially during declared emergencies. Identify 3-5 pet-friendly options along your primary and alternate evacuation routes. Save their phone numbers in your phone and on your printed contact list.

Friends or family outside your area: The best option if available. Discuss this with them in advance so there are no surprises.

Boarding facilities and veterinary clinics: Some offer emergency boarding during disasters. Identify options outside your immediate area (since local facilities may be affected too).

Pet-friendly emergency shelters: Since the PETS Act of 2006, FEMA-funded shelters are required to accommodate pets or have plans for them. However, availability varies. Check with your local emergency management office for specific shelter policies.

What About Public Shelters?

Standard emergency shelters (Red Cross, community shelters) often cannot accommodate pets in the main living area due to allergies and safety concerns. However:

• Many now have separate pet areas adjacent to the human shelter
• Service animals are always permitted in the shelter with their handler
• Ask your local emergency management office about their specific pet shelter plans -- know this before an emergency

The Evacuation Decision

If an evacuation is ordered:

• Never leave pets behind. Animals left during evacuations face serious risks, and returning to retrieve them may be impossible for days.
• Evacuate early. Traveling with pets takes longer -- loading carriers, managing anxiety, and potential car sickness mean you need extra time.
• Keep dogs leashed and cats in carriers during the entire evacuation. Frightened animals in unfamiliar environments will run.

Sheltering in Place With Pets

If you are staying home during an emergency (power outage, severe storm, winter weather), your pets need some specific attention.

Temperature Concerns

Pets are vulnerable to temperature extremes:

• Cold weather: Bring outdoor pets inside. Small dogs, short-haired breeds, and elderly animals are especially sensitive. Provide warm bedding away from drafts.
• Hot weather: Ensure adequate hydration. Never leave pets in vehicles. Signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, and vomiting -- act immediately by cooling with water and contacting a vet.

Noise and Anxiety

Storms, generators, sirens, and unfamiliar sounds can cause significant stress in pets.

Signs of anxiety in dogs: Panting, pacing, whining, hiding, trembling, destructive behavior

Signs of anxiety in cats: Hiding, refusal to eat, excessive grooming, vocalizing, litter box avoidance

Calming strategies:

• Maintain your normal routine as much as possible (feeding times, walks for dogs)
• Provide a quiet, enclosed space (a crate with a blanket over it for dogs, a closet or bathroom for cats)
• Stay calm yourself -- pets mirror their owner's emotional state
• Consider a veterinarian-approved calming product (Adaptil for dogs, Feliway for cats) as part of your pet emergency kit
• Playing calm music or white noise can mask unsettling sounds

Power Outage Considerations

• Aquariums and terrariums lose temperature regulation without power. Battery-powered air pumps and chemical heat packs can sustain fish and reptiles for 24-48 hours.
• Automatic feeders and water fountains will stop working. Switch to manual feeding and ensure fresh water bowls are filled.
• Refrigerated pet medications (insulin, certain liquid medications) follow the same temperature rules as human food -- safe for about 4 hours without power.

If You Are Separated From Your Pet

Despite the best planning, separation can happen. Prepare for this possibility:

• Ensure your pet's microchip registration is current with your most recent phone number and address. Check annually.
• ID tags should have your cell phone number -- not your home landline
• Take clear, current photos of your pet from multiple angles. Store them on your phone and in your emergency documents.
• Know your local animal control and shelter contact information
• After an emergency, check shelters promptly and file a lost-pet report immediately

Special Considerations by Scenario

Hurricanes and Flooding

• Evacuate with your pets well before conditions deteriorate
• Elevate aquariums and small animal cages off the floor in case of minor flooding
• After the event, do not let pets drink standing water (it may be contaminated)

Earthquakes

• Practice securing pet carriers so you can access them quickly
• After the earthquake, keep dogs leashed outdoors -- broken fences and open gates are common
• Watch for glass, debris, and downed wires during walks

Wildfires and Air Quality

• Pets are affected by smoke and poor air quality just like humans
• Keep pets indoors when air quality is poor
• Birds are especially sensitive to airborne pollutants -- move them to the cleanest room in your home

Winter Storms

• Keep adequate pet food supply (delivery services may be disrupted)
• Wipe paws after outdoor exposure to remove ice-melt chemicals
• Ensure outdoor water bowls are not frozen

The Pet Preparedness Checklist

• [ ] Pet emergency kit assembled (food, water, meds, records, photos)
• [ ] Microchip registration current with correct contact information
• [ ] ID tags with current phone number
• [ ] Carrier or crate accessible and appropriately sized
• [ ] Evacuation destinations identified (3 pet-friendly options)
• [ ] Veterinary records copied and stored in emergency kit
• [ ] Pet medications stocked (14-day supply)
• [ ] Calming supplies included in kit
• [ ] Neighbor or pet-sitter identified as backup caretaker
• [ ] Local animal shelter contact information saved

Your Pet's Place in Your Readiness Score

Prevna includes pets as household members in your preparedness calculations. When you add pets to your profile, your [personalized plan](/wizard) adjusts water quantities, food supply targets, and evacuation checklists to include their needs.

A household that has planned for its pets is a household that will make better, calmer decisions during an emergency -- for every member of the family, two-legged and four-legged alike.

[Create your personalized plan](/wizard) to include your pets in your household's emergency preparedness and see exactly what supplies, quantities, and plans you need.