Senior & mobility-limited · Pets
They depend on you. Plan for when you cannot be there.
For many older adults living alone, a pet is the most consistent daily relationship. The animal depends entirely on one person for food, water, medication, and veterinary care. When that person is suddenly unavailable, the pet has no backup unless one has been arranged.
The planThe gap
Nobody else knows about the cat.
When a younger person with a family is hospitalized, someone in the household feeds the dog. When an older person who lives alone is hospitalized, nobody may realize there is a pet at home. The animal may go unfed for days. This is not a hypothetical scenario; it happens routinely when emergency hospitalizations occur and no one has been told about the pet.
The fix is simple and takes less than fifteen minutes: name a person, give them a key, tell them the pet exists, and write down the care instructions. The rest of this guide covers what those instructions should include and how to integrate pet care into the broader backup plan.
Ready.gov recommends planning for food, water, and essentials for pets, and researching pet-friendly evacuation centers in advance. For an older owner, the additional step is identifying who takes over daily pet care when you cannot.
The pet backup person
Name one person. Give them a key.
The single most important step in pet preparedness for an older owner is naming the person who will care for the animal when you cannot. This is separate from the backup caregiver (the person who handles your medical and household needs), though it can be the same person.
This person should
- Have a key to your home or know where the spare key is. They need physical access without calling you, because the scenario is that you cannot answer the phone.
- Know the pet exists and where it is. A neighbor who does not know you have a cat will not check on the cat. Tell them.
- Know the feeding routine. What food, how much, how often, and where it is stored. Especially important if the pet has dietary restrictions or a prescription diet.
- Know about any pet medications. Medication name, dose, timing, and how to administer it. Some pets require daily medication that cannot be skipped.
- Know behavioral basics. Does the dog bite when startled? Does the cat hide when strangers enter? Is the pet an escape risk when the door opens? These details prevent both injury and a lost pet.
- Have the vet's number. If the pet becomes ill or injured while you are away, your backup person needs to know where to take the animal and who to call.
If the primary backup cannot do it, name a secondary. If neither is available, a boarding kennel or pet sitter is the next option, and that relationship should be established before you need it. Call a local boarding facility, confirm they take pets on short notice, and keep their number with the pet care documents.
The pet care document
One page. On the refrigerator.
A single page with everything the backup person needs. Tape it to the inside of a kitchen cabinet or post it on the refrigerator next to the first responder note. A second copy goes to the backup person. A third goes in the household binder.
Basic information
- Pet's name, species, breed, color, and approximate age
- Microchip number (if applicable) and registration company
- Rabies tag number and vaccination dates
- Veterinarian: name, clinic name, phone number, address
- Pet insurance company and policy number (if applicable)
Daily care
- Feeding: what food (brand and type), how much, how many times per day, where the food is stored
- Water: bowl location, how often it should be refilled
- Medications: name, dose, timing, and how to give it (in food, by syringe, topical)
- Exercise: does the dog need to be walked, and if so how far and how often? Who can physically manage the leash?
- Litter box: location and how often it needs cleaning
Behavioral notes and safety
- Temperament with strangers: Will the pet allow a stranger to enter the home? Does it need time to warm up? Is it aggressive with unfamiliar people?
- Escape risk: Does the pet bolt when the door opens? Does it jump fences? Does the cat hide in places where a stranger would not find it?
- Other animals: If the pet goes to the backup person's home, does it tolerate other animals? Is it leash-aggressive?
- Comfort habits: Where does the pet sleep? Does it have a favorite blanket or toy? During a disruption, bringing familiar items reduces anxiety for the animal just as it does for people.
Evacuation with a pet
Never leave the animal behind unless you have no choice.
People who refuse to evacuate because they cannot bring their pet are a recurring pattern in disaster response. Ready.gov recommends researching pet-friendly evacuation centers in advance. For older adults, this research should be completed before the first forecast, because doing it under pressure while also managing medications, medical equipment, and physical limitations is unrealistic.
Pet go-bag
- 3 to 5 days of food in a sealed container
- Water bowl and water (pets cannot always drink tap water at an unfamiliar location)
- Medications and a written list of doses
- Leash, collar with ID tag, or walking vest
- Carrier (cats and small animals must be in a carrier during transport and at shelters)
- Vaccination records (many shelters and boarding facilities require proof)
- A recent photo of the pet (for identification if separated)
- Familiar blanket or toy
Where the pet can go
- Family or friend's home: Confirm in advance that they will accept the pet. Not everyone can or will.
- Pet-friendly shelter: Not all emergency shelters accept pets. Ready.gov recommends identifying pet-friendly options before an emergency. Some communities operate separate animal shelters alongside human shelters.
- Boarding kennel: Call ahead. Many fill quickly during weather events. Establish a relationship before you need emergency boarding.
- Hotel or motel: Many accept pets with a deposit. Confirm in advance and know which nearby options allow animals.
Service animals are legally permitted in all emergency shelters regardless of pet policies.
The longer-term question
If you cannot care for the pet at all.
An emergency hospitalization may last a few days. A move to assisted living or a nursing facility may be permanent, and most of these facilities do not accept pets. This is a difficult topic that deserves honest planning rather than avoidance.
Name the person who would permanently take the pet if you can no longer care for it. Talk to them about it. If no family member or friend can take the animal, contact your local humane society about surrender options and any programs that help older adults keep their pets through temporary support services.
Some Area Agencies on Aging coordinate volunteer pet care assistance for homebound older adults. The Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) can help you find local resources. Some communities have "Meals on Wheels" programs that also deliver pet food. These services exist because the problem is common, and asking for help is appropriate.
Connected guides
Related sections worth knowing.
Senior & Mobility-Limited Hub
Back to the full section.
Backup Caregiver Plan
The pet backup person should be part of the broader backup caregiver plan or coordinated with it.
Household Records
The household binder includes a pet tab with all the information from this guide.
Preparing When You Live Alone
A pet that lives with a single older adult is the most vulnerable to being forgotten during a medical emergency.
Evacuating an Older Adult
The evacuation go-bag checklist includes pet supplies. The destination must accept the pet or an alternative must be arranged.
Who Will Check on You?
The check-in person should know about the pet. If no one calls and no one checks, the pet is alone too.