Prepare For 

Emergencies Now:

Information For 

Pet Owners.

www.ready.gov

This information was developed by the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency

in consultation with: 

American Kennel Club, The American Society 

for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 

American Veterinary Medical Association, 

and The Humane Society of the U.S. 

Preparing for Your 

Pets Makes Sense.

Get Ready Now. 

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your 

household. The likelihood that you and your 

animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or 

flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely 

on emergency planning done today. Some of the 

things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, 

such as assembling an animal emergency supply 

kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are 

the same for any emergency. Whether you decide 

to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer 

location, you will need to make plans in advance 

for your pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for 

you is typically what’s best for your animals. 

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if 

possible. However, if you are going to a public 

shelter, it is important to understand that animals 

may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for 

shelter alternatives that will work for both you and 

your pets. 

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t 

care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy 

system with neighbors, friends and relatives to 

make sure that someone is available to care for 

or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. 

Be prepared to improvise and use what you have 

on hand to make it on your own for at least three 

days, maybe longer. 

Preparing for the 

unexpected makes sense. 

Get Ready Now. 

FEMA R-7
 Prepare Get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit. 

 Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think 

first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water. Consider 

two kits. In one, put everything you and your pets will need to stay where 

you are. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take 

with you if you and your pets have to get away. Plus, be sure to review 

your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and 

medicines, are fresh. 

Food. Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, 

waterproof container. 

Water. Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets 

in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.

Medicines and medical records. Keep an extra supply 

of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof 

container.

First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most 

appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs. Most kits 

should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; 

antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl 

alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book. 

Collar with ID tag, harness or leash. Your pet should wear a 

collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup 

leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit. In addition, 

place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, 

vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or 

waterproof container and also add them to your kit. You should also 

consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent identification 

such as microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. 

Crate or other pet carrier. If you need to evacuate in an 

emergency situation take your pets and animals with you provided 

that it is practical to do so. In many cases, your ability to do so 

will be aided by having a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier 

ready for transporting your pet. The carrier should be large enough 

for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down. 

Sanitation. Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, 

paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to 

provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. You can use 

bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water 

to one part bleach), or in an emergency you 

can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops 

of regular household liquid bleach per 

gallon of water. Do not use scented or 

color safe bleaches, or those 

with added cleaners.

1 A picture of you and your pet together. If you become 

separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your 

pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist 

you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, 

breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.

Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. 

Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.

Talk to your pet’s veterinarian 

about emergency planning.

Discuss the types of things that you should 

include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit. 

Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals 

in other cities where you might need to seek 

temporary shelter. You should also consider 

talking with your veterinarian about 

permanent identification such as 

microchipping, and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. 

If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact 

information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery 

database is essential to your being reunited with your pet.

Gather contact information for emergency animal 

treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses 

of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society 

or SPCA, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of 

these phone numbers with you and one in your pet’s emergency 

supply kit. Obtain “Pets Inside” stickers and place them on your 

doors or windows, including information on the number and types 

of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. 

Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could 

be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to 

write the words “Evacuated with Pets” across the stickers, should 

you flee with your pets. 

2

 Plan 

 What You Will Do in an Emergency.

 Be prepared to assess the situation. Use whatever 

you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet’s 

safety during an emergency. Depending on your circumstances and 

the nature of the emergency the first important decision is whether 

you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both 

possibilities. Use common sense and the information you are learning 

here to determine if there is immediate danger. 

In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be 

able to provide information on what is happening and what you should 

do. However, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet for 

instructions. If you’re specifically told to evacuate, shelter-in-place or 

seek medical treatment, do so immediately.

Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will assemble your 

pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take 

your pets with you if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in 

mind your animals may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate 

lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in 

your care. Consider family or friends willing to take in you and your 

pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel 

that takes pets or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary 

hospital that is near an evacuation facility or your family’s meeting 

place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or 

relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or 

evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet 

care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you 

keep your pet’s emergency supply kit. Also designate specific 

locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther 

away, where you will meet in an emergency.

3

 Stay Informed Know About Types of Emergencies. 

 Some of the things you can do to prepare for the 

unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for 

yourself, your family and your pets, is the same regardless of the 

type of emergency. However, it’s important to stay informed about 

what might happen and know what types of emergencies are 

likely to affect your region as well as emergency plans that have 

been established by your state and local government. For more 

information about how to prepare, visit www.ready.gov 

or call 1-800-BE-READY. 

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal 

circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions 

received from authorities on the scene. With these simple 

preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who 

take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely 

encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now 

to get yourself and your pet ready.

Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense. 

Get Ready Now.