Emergencies
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Building a pet emergency kit, an evacuation plan and a care plan if you are suddenly unavailable.
Build a grab bag
Keep it near the door with the human emergency supplies.
- Five to seven days of food, water and any medication, rotated before expiry
- Carrier or crate per animal, labelled with your contact details
- Photocopied vaccination records and a recent photo of you with each animal
- Spare lead, harness, litter tray, bags and bowls
- A blanket that smells of home
Plan where you will go
Many emergency shelters do not accept animals. Identify in advance which friends, boarding kennels or pet-friendly hotels outside your immediate area could take you and your animals.
If you cannot get home
Agree with a neighbour or friend who has a key, knows your animals and knows where supplies and medication are kept. Keep a written care sheet on the fridge with feeding amounts, medication and your vet's number.
Identification saves lives
Microchip every animal and keep the registered details current. A collar tag is the fastest route home; a chip is the permanent one. Reptiles and birds can be photographed with distinguishing markings recorded.