Pre-packed and ready
FEMA and the ASPCA recommend pre-packing a pet emergency kit with: carriers (one per cat, crate for dogs), leashes and collars with ID tags, 3 to 7 days of food and water, medications, vaccination records, and a recent photo of each pet.
When an evacuation order comes, there is no time to gather these items. Pets without carriers are often left behind because there is no safe way to transport them in a vehicle during an emergency.
Know your options before you need them
Most Red Cross shelters do not accept pets (service animals excepted). Identify pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation routes in advance. Many hotels waive pet fees during declared disasters.
Some communities open pet-friendly emergency shelters. Your local emergency management office and the ASPCA disaster preparedness page list pet shelter options by area.
Collars, tags, and microchips
Collars with current ID tags and microchips with updated registration are the two layers of pet identification. Collars can fall off; microchips are permanent. Update your microchip registration whenever you move or change phone numbers. Keep a printed copy of microchip numbers in your pet emergency kit.
- Pre-pack carriers, food, water, medications, vaccination records, and a photo
- One carrier per cat, crate for dogs, leashes with ID tags
- Identify pet-friendly hotels along evacuation routes in advance
- Update microchip registration when you move or change phone numbers
- Most Red Cross shelters do not accept pets
- Pet Preparedness — FEMA guidance on including pets in emergency planning.