Pets in Emergencies: A Readiness Plan for Animal Households

For many households in Boston and across New England, pets are family. When an emergency hits, whether it is a storm, a fire, a flood or a building evacuation, those animals depend entirely on us to get them out safely and keep them cared for. National Preparedness Month in September is a good time to make sure your plan includes every member of the household, including the ones with fur, feathers or scales.

This guide covers the basics of pet emergency readiness and how neighbors can support each other. For questions about your animal’s specific health needs, talk with your veterinarian.

Why Pets Need Their Own Plan

In past disasters across the country, many people delayed evacuating or returned to unsafe areas because they did not want to leave their animals behind. Planning ahead reduces that risk. Federal law now requires emergency plans that receive certain federal funding to account for household pets, and many shelters accept pets or have pet shelters nearby. Policies vary, though, so it is important to know your options before you need them.

Build a Pet Go-Kit

Pack a separate bag or bin for each pet, or one shared kit for small animals. Keep it near your own go-bag.

1. Food and water: several days of food in a waterproof container and bottled water, plus collapsible bowls.
2. Medications: a supply of any regular medications, with instructions. Ask your vet about how much to keep on hand.
3. Records: copies of vaccination records, microchip number and your veterinarian’s contact information, sealed in a plastic bag.
4. Identification: a collar with an up-to-date ID tag and a current photo of you with your pet, which helps prove ownership if you are separated.
5. Leash, harness and carrier: a sturdy carrier for cats and small animals, labeled with your name and phone number.
6. Sanitation: waste bags, a small litter box and litter, paper towels and disinfectant wipes.
7. Comfort items: a familiar blanket, toy or bed can reduce stress in a strange place.
8. Care notes: a short written summary of feeding schedules, behavior quirks and health conditions, in case someone else has to care for your pet.

Microchips and ID Tags

Pets can slip away in the confusion of an emergency. A collar tag and a microchip are the best ways to be reunited. If your pet is microchipped, check that the registration is current and lists your phone number. If you have moved or changed numbers, update the information now. Many animal shelters and veterinary offices can scan a chip to confirm it is working.

Know Where You Would Go

If you have to leave home, where would your pet stay? Make a short list of options before an emergency.

• Friends or family outside your immediate area who would welcome your pet
• Pet-friendly hotels along likely evacuation routes
• Boarding facilities and veterinary offices that may board animals
• Your city or town’s emergency management office, which can tell you how pets are handled at local shelters

Write these options and their phone numbers on your emergency contact list.

Practice With Your Pet

Many animals resist carriers, especially cats. A little practice makes an emergency easier.

• Leave the carrier out with a soft blanket and occasional treats so it becomes familiar.
• Practice putting your pet in the carrier and carrying it to the door.
• Take short car rides so travel is less frightening.
• Know where your pet hides when scared, so you can find it quickly.

Small Animals, Birds and Reptiles

Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and fish have special needs. Plan for appropriate travel containers, temperature control, bedding and food. Birds and reptiles can be sensitive to temperature changes, so ask your veterinarian how to keep them safe during transport and power outages. For large aquariums, evacuation may not be practical, so talk with an experienced keeper or pet store about short-term options.

A Pet Buddy System With Neighbors

Emergencies do not always happen when you are home. A storm might hit while you are at work, or a building might be evacuated while you are traveling. A pet buddy system means a trusted neighbor can step in.

1. Find a buddy. Choose a nearby neighbor you trust, ideally one who also has pets.
2. Share access. Agree on how your buddy can get into your home, such as a spare key or door code.
3. Share the plan. Show them where the pet kit and carrier are kept and how to handle your pet.
4. Exchange contact information, including a backup number for each of you.
5. Agree on a meeting place where you can reunite with your pet.
6. Return the favor. Offer to do the same for them.

Some households post a pet alert sticker near the front door telling emergency responders how many animals live inside. If you use one, update or remove it if your pet situation changes so responders are not searching for an animal that is not there.

Helping Neighbors With Pets

Older adults and people with disabilities may find it hard to evacuate with pets. Neighbors can help by offering to carry a carrier down stairs, store pet supplies or take an animal temporarily. Offer gently and specifically: “If we ever have to leave because of a storm, would it help if I came over to help get your cat into the carrier?”

After the Emergency

Pets can be stressed or disoriented after a disaster. Familiar landmarks and smells may have changed, and debris can create hazards.

• Keep pets leashed or in carriers when you first return home.
• Check your yard and home for sharp debris, standing water and downed wires.
• Watch for changes in behavior and contact your vet if you are concerned.
• If your pet is lost, contact local animal shelters and animal control right away and share a photo widely.

Preparedness Is Part of Loving an Animal

A pet emergency plan takes an afternoon to put together and a few minutes a year to keep current. In return, it gives you confidence that when something goes wrong, every member of your household, human and animal, has a way out.