For many, pets are more than just animals — they are a part of the family. As members of your family, they should be included in your emergency planning process. Make sure your disaster plan includes what you will do when an emergency requires you to leave your home, leave your pet at home, or prevents you from returning home. A few simple steps to ensure your pet's safety can go a long way when disaster strikes.
Make a Plan
Record important information about your pet so that you can easily access it during an emergency.
Know your pet's hiding places so you can easily find them during an emergency. Keep in mind a stressed pet may behave differently than normal and its stress level may increase. Also be advised that scared pets may try to flee.
Before an emergency, make a list of emergency contacts. Keep a copy of this list in your pet's Go Bag.
Practice emergency plans to familiarize your pet with the process and increase its comfort level.
Think about where you will go with your pet and how you will get there if you have to leave home during an emergency.
Talk with your local veterinarian, kennel, or grooming facility to see if they can offer safe shelter for your pet during an emergency. Create a Go Bag for your pet or service animal (See Pet Go Bag Checklist).
Arrange for family or friends outside of the affected area to shelter your pet.
Proper Identification
Dogs and cats should wear a collar or harness, rabies tag, and identification tag at all times. Identification tags should include your name, address, and phone number, and the phone number of an emergency contact.
Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping your pet or service animal. A properly registered microchip enables positive identification of your pet or service animal if you and your pet/service animal are separated.
Keep a current color photo of your pet or service animal (in the event it becomes lost).