Make A Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit

These items should be collected for each pet in the Household and match their needs.  Be sure to check the emergency supply kit at least every six months. 

Food and Water:  Store at least five days of food and water for your pets to use in an airtight, waterproof container. If you have canned foods, pack a manual can opener and spoon.  Include no-spill food and water dishes. 

Medicines and Medical Records: Keep a supply of medicines that your pet takes regularly in a waterproof container.  Include copies of your pet’s registration, adoption papers, vaccination records, and medical records in a waterproof container. 

First Aid Kit:  Talk to your veterinarian for specific items for your pet.  First-Aid Kits should include: cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, medical gloves, isopropyl alcohol, thermometer, tweezers, washcloth, eye rinse, saline solution, and a pet first aid reference book.  Consider taking a pet first aid course.

Sanitation: Include pet litter, scoop, and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, puppy pads, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and non-scented bleach for cleaning.

Crate or other pet carrier: If there is a need to evacuate, take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.  Have 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.  Be sure to familiarize your pet with the crate prior to the emergency.

Collar with ID tag, harness, and leash: Pets should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times.  Include a leash (non-retractable) harness, and collar in your pet’s emergency supply kit.  You should consider getting permanent identification such as microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.

A picture of you with your pet: A current picture of you with your pet will assist in documenting ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.  Include detailed information about the pet, including: name, 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.

Make a Plan For Your Pet

Depending on your circumstances and the type of emergency, the most important decision is shelter in place or leave: you should understand and plan for both. 

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.  Pet shelters may be set up near public shelters. 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. We recommend that you secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care.

Develop a buddy system: Plan with neighbours, friends, or relatives 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.  Designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighbourhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Talk to your veterinarian: Discuss the items that should be included in your pet’s emergency first aid kit.  Get the names of veterinarians or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter.  Consider discussing permanent identification such as microchipping. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to reunification with your pet.

Gather contact information:  Make a list of contact information and addresses of family, friends, area animal control agencies and emergency veterinary hospitals.  Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your pet’s emergency supply kit. 

Additional recommendation: 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.

Document Your Pet's Emergency Information

Just like humans, your pet has essential information that should be documented prior to an emergency. 

This information includes:

Additionally, important contact information should be recorded, including:
 

 
Download our Disaster Preparedness for Pets Brochure by clicking the image below.