Preparedness for Animals

Keep your animals safe during a disaster by preparing emergency supplies and updating important information before a disaster occurs.

Have your pet microchipped. This will allow you to track your animal and have them returned to you quickly if they get lost.
Ensure that all animals have current identification tags and up-to-date vaccinations.
Use pet rescue stickers on windows and doors to alert first responders and rescue teams.
Make a list of shelters, hotels, and kennels that allow pets in case of an emergency. Research options in your immediate neighborhood and out of town.
Practice your animal evacuation plan. Know where pets may hide during severe weather to speed up the evacuation process, and use flashing collars to locate pets in the dark.
Practice crating and transporting your pets in the car. Familiarizing pets with car travel will help reduce anxiety and fear during an evacuation.
If your pet gets anxious or agitated during severe weather, such as thunderstorms, talk to your veterinarian about training tips or medication options.
Create an emergency supply kit for pets, including copies of current photos, owner contact information, and medical records (see forms below).

Livestock & Farm Animals

Emergency preparedness is also important for livestock and farm animals. Their large size and unique sheltering and transportation needs require special considerations for emergency planning. Visit The Humane Society of the United States website to learn more about preparedness for livestock and farm animals.

Evacuating & Sheltering Animals During an Emergency

Being prepared will help you to evacuate or shelter with your animal quickly and safely. Use appropriate procedures for evacuating your animal based on their breed, size, and needs, and be prepared to seek shelter at home or in a designated public shelter or hotel that permits animals.

If you are sheltering in place, move your animal to the safest place in your home. Consider what will be most comforting for them: move away from windows, put animals in crates, or cover cages with blankets.
Always evacuate animals whenever possible. Identify primary and alternative evacuation routes beforehand.
Use secure, covered carriers to transport small animals during evacuation.
Only leave your animals behind as a last resort. If you must evacuate without animals, NEVER tie them up outside or let them loose to fend for themselves. Loose and abandoned animals may be euthanized by animal control shelters.
Many owners have a strong emotional bond with their animals. It is important to prepare your pets for emergencies and evacuate them safely whenever possible, but never endanger yourself or your family members to prioritize your pets. Rescue attempts or refusal to evacuate may threaten the safety of yourself and rescue workers.

Service Animals & ADA Regulations

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees that service animals will remain with their owners in any public space, including hotels and disaster response shelters. However, owners are responsible for providing all animal cares. If you have questions about service animal requirements, visit the ADA website or call the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

How to Fill Out the Form
Fill Out the Form
Printable Emergency Documents

Instructions

This section includes three forms to help you compile important information for your pet and/or service animal in the event of an emergency.

Identification Information
Food & Medications
Medical Information

All three forms should be completed for each pet and/or service animal in your household. After completing the introductory page, a set of forms will be created for each animal on the Menu page. Use the right and left arrows or the Menu button at the bottom of the page to navigate between individual animals.

Printable Emergency Documents

Click the link below to download and print an important emergency document. This document is also available in the Additional Resources section.

Animal Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

Use this checklist to create an emergency supply kit for your pet or service animal at home.

Special
Considerations

Alzheimer's
& Dementia

Car &
Travel

Emotional
Well-Being

Preparing
Your Home

Pets &
Service Animals

Work &
Public Settings

Additional
Resources