As a dealer, exhibitor, research facility, intermediate handler, 

animal transporter, or other entity regulated under the Animal 

Welfare Act, you are required to make a contingency plan. 

This plan describes what you will do to safeguard your 

animals during emergencies or disasters. As you develop 

your contingency plan, refer to the information below for a 

brief overview of what to consider. 

Contingency Plan Basics 

 Your plan should address your facility’s unique needs; 

there is no one-size-fits-all contingency plan. 

 Your plan should cover all animals in all of your facilities. 

 Transporters and intermediate handlers must also 

develop a contingency plan. 

 Your employees should be trained to carry out your 

facility’s contingency plan.

 You must review your plan and document any updates 

at least annually. 

What To Consider

Your contingency plan must address four things: when

you will activate your plan, what actions you will take, who

is responsible for taking those actions, and how you will 

accomplish them. 

When Will You Activate Your Plan?

Emergencies are not limited to natural disasters (like wildfires 

or hurricanes) and animal escapes. They can also include 

local events such as a fire, power outage, loss of key 

personnel, or other unexpected situations that interrupt normal 

animal care activities. Carefully consider and document the 

types of emergencies that could affect your area or facility.

What Actions Will You Take? 

Your contingency plan must document the actions you’ll 

take in response to the emergency situations that affect your 

operation. For example, you may need to evacuate your 

animals and employees, or you may decide that sheltering in 

place is safest. 

Who Will Be Responsible for Taking Specific Actions? 

In an emergency, it’s critical that you and your staff know 

your roles and responsibilities. By assigning tasks to staff as 

part of the contingency planning process and establishing 

clear authority and lines of communication, you can 

streamline your response during an emergency. Remember 

to update staff responsibilities, assignments, and contact 

information regularly.

How Will You Carry Out Your Plan? 

As you develop your contingency plan, consider what 

material and equipment you will need, how you will obtain it, 

and what training is required. If you plan to house animals at 

another facility during an emergency, make sure the facility is 

willing and able to receive your animals. 

Resources 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has an optional form that 

you can download and use when developing and documenting 

your contingency plan. Go to www.aphis.usda.gov and search 

“APHIS Form 7093.” APHIS’ Animal Care inspectors are also 

available to help you develop or review plans, as needed.

For More Information 

You can find information about contingency planning in the 

following sections of the Animal Welfare Act (9 CFR Part 2): 

Subpart C, § 2.38(i)(4); Subpart H, § 2.102(a)(4) and (b)(3);

and Subpart I, § 2.134. Go to ecfr.gov and search “9 CFR 2.” 

For information on the contingency planning rule, go to 

www.aphis.usda.gov and search “contingency planning rule.”

To contact APHIS’ Animal Care program, call (970) 494-7478 

or email animalcare@usda.gov. 

Quick Reference: Contingency Plans for Emergencies

Animal Care Tech Note

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

AC-22-005A ▪ Revised March 2022

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare