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Make a plan for every pet before an emergency: decide where the animal will go, prepare a transport-ready kit, update identification, and rehearse how your household will evacuate or shelter in place. Do not assume a general evacuation center accepts pets; confirm local rules and each destination directly.
Plan where your pet will go
Start with the hazards in your area and the way your household might respond. Choose a destination that accepts your particular animal, then confirm its current availability, requirements, and distance. Options include pet-friendly lodging, boarding facilities, veterinary facilities, animal shelters or relief groups, and trusted friends or relatives outside the affected area. Keep a second option in case the first is full or unreachable. The CDC and ASPCA outline these planning options in their pet safety guidance and disaster preparedness guidance.
Arrange a nearby backup caregiver who can reach your pet if household members are away. Give that person written care instructions, access to needed equipment, and your veterinarian’s contact details. Identify veterinary clinics or animal hospitals near the temporary destination, too.
Plan separately for evacuation and for staying home. For evacuation, decide who gathers each animal, where everyone meets, and how each pet will be transported. For sheltering in place, choose a pet-friendly room—preferably an interior room with few or no windows—and plan for food, clean water, medication, and waste disposal. The CDC advises keeping pets restrained and away from wildlife, stray animals, and potentially contaminated floodwater.
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Keep a leash or carrier near an exit and use safe vehicle transport equipment. Practice getting each animal into its carrier or harness and taking short car rides. Know where a frightened pet might hide. The CDC cautions that leaving pets out of evacuation plans can endanger animals, owners, and first responders; its emergency guidance also warns that pets left behind may be lost or injured.
Build a pet emergency kit
Ask your veterinarian to help tailor supplies to each animal’s species, health, prescriptions, and feeding routine. Store the kit where you can reach it quickly, and rotate perishable food and medicines so they remain usable. The CDC’s kit checklist and the ASPCA’s September 2026 packing guidance give different planning amounts for food and water; these are recommendations, not measured statistics or universal requirements.
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| Supply | Planning amount | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Two weeks per animal | CDC recommendation, 2024 |
| Water | Two weeks per animal | CDC recommendation, 2024 |
| Food and water | At least seven to 10 days | ASPCA recommendation, September 2026 |
| Medications | Two weeks, when applicable | CDC recommendation, 2024; ASPCA also recommends two weeks |
| Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives | One month | CDC recommendation, 2024 |
Choose an amount you can store and maintain, and ask your veterinarian and local emergency officials what makes sense for your circumstances. Include:
- Records and identification: copies of veterinary records, rabies certificate, vaccination records, medical summary, prescriptions, relevant test results, proof of registration or ownership, and a written description. Keep the microchip number and registry contact, current owner and backup contacts, and recent photos. Put documents in a waterproof pouch or container.
- Food, water, and feeding supplies: the planned reserve for each animal, non-spill bowls, feeding instructions, and a manual can opener if needed.
- Restraint and transport: a leash, collar with current ID, harness, and carrier sized for the animal. Add familiar bedding, a blanket, or a towel.
- Daily care and cleanup: litter and a litterbox for cats, familiar toys or bedding, paper towels, waste bags, and disinfectant.
- First aid: a pet first-aid book and kit. Ask your veterinarian what to include rather than relying on a generic kit to cover your animal’s needs.
Keep identification and reunification details current
Check that collar tags show current contact information, and register your pet’s microchip and update the details with the registry. Keep your phone number and a backup contact with the pet’s records. Put contact details on the carrier as well. A recent photo and a written description can help others identify your animal if you become separated.
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Know what to expect at an evacuation center
Some public evacuation centers, including some Red Cross centers, do not accept pets. Confirm arrangements with local emergency management and the facility before an emergency rather than relying on an assumption. If the center cannot take your animal, use the alternate destination in your plan.
Shared shelters can bring stress and practical health concerns. The CDC notes risks including bites or scratches from frightened animals, germ spread in crowded conditions, sanitation challenges, and allergies among people sheltering together. Keep pets restrained, wash your hands after handling animals, food, supplies, or waste, and discuss illness concerns with a veterinarian. Be ready to show rabies vaccination proof for dogs, cats, or ferrets where required. See the CDC’s guidance for pets in evacuation centers.
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Use a plan that fits your animal and household
- Match supplies to the animal: species and size affect carrier choice, food, litter, medication, and handling. Get veterinary advice for health-specific supplies.
- Check the destination, not just its category: a hotel, boarding facility, veterinary facility, shelter, or friend’s home may have limits or be unavailable. Confirm acceptance, location, and current capacity.
- Make both emergency scenarios workable: an evacuation plan needs transport and a confirmed destination; a stay-at-home plan needs a safe room and access to essentials.
- Set a realistic reserve: the CDC recommends two weeks of food and water, while the ASPCA recommends at least seven to 10 days. Consider storage, your pet’s needs, and local instructions when choosing your supply.
The CDC provides a printable pet disaster kit checklist. FEMA also offers guidance on preparing pets for disasters. Local emergency instructions and facility policies take precedence over general guidance.
Quick Recap
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- Splinter Picker/Tick Remover: Safely remove splinters and ticks from your dog's paws and body
- Triangular Bandage: Safely administer first aid to your dog by first muzzling them with this triangular bandage
- Cohesive Elastic Bandage: Easily wrap injuries with this self-adhering bandage which doesn't stick to fur
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