How to Be Prepared to Protect Our Pets During an Emergency

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and it’s the perfect time to ask yourself an important question: “If something happened right now, like a fire, flood, or evacuation, what would I do with my pet?”

We all love our pets like family, but many of us forget to include them in our emergency plans. The truth is, in a real emergency, it can be chaotic, and without a plan, our furry (or feathered or scaly) friends can easily be put at risk.

Whether you have dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, or even reptiles, being prepared can help you keep them safe and calm during unexpected situations. This guide breaks down simple steps to help you prepare, so you can act quickly if disaster strikes.

1. Don’t Forget to Include Your Pets in Your Emergency Plan

It might seem obvious, but the sad reality is that when people plan for emergencies, pets are often left out. Don’t let that be your biggest mistake. Pets can’t speak up, and they don’t always respond well to loud noises, confusion, or quick changes. So, having a clear plan for what to do with your pets in an emergency can save their lives.

What You Can Do:

●       Decide how you’ll take your pets with you if you need to leave your home quickly.

●       Keep carriers and leashes near the door, so they’re easy to grab.

●       Practice quick getaways with your pet, especially if they don’t like the car or being in a crate.

●       Choose a backup person, like a trusted neighbor or friend, who can care for your pet if you’re not home.

Think of it this way: If you wouldn’t leave a child behind, don’t leave your pet behind either.

2. Make a Pet Emergency Kit

Just like you might have a "go bag" for yourself with snacks, medicine, and supplies, your pet should have their emergency kit, too. It should have everything they need to stay comfortable, fed, and safe for at least a few days.

What to Put in Your Pet’s Kit:

●       Food and water for 3 to 7 days

●       Bowl for food and water (collapsible bowls are great)

●       Medications, if your pet takes any, plus vet records

●       Leash, collar, or harness

●       Waste bags, litter, or other cleanup supplies

●       A blanket, toy, or bed to help comfort your pet

●       A carrier or crate to keep your pet safe while traveling

●       Recent photos of your pet, in case you get separated

Store your pet’s emergency kit next to yours so you can grab everything quickly if you need to leave in a hurry.

3. Keep Updated Records and Photos of Your Pet

If your pet ever gets lost during a disaster, having the right information can help bring them home faster. After hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, animal shelters are usually full of lost pets, and many never make it back to their families simply because they didn’t have an ID or records.

Here’s How to Be Prepared:

●       Make sure your pet is microchipped. And check that your contact info is up to date in the system.

●       Keep ID tags on your pet’s collar with your phone number.

●       Take clear photos of your pet, including one of you together.

●       Store all this info digitally, perhaps in your email or a cloud storage service like Google Drive, so you can access it even if your phone or papers get lost.

Having these details handy can make all the difference if you and your pet get separated.

4. Know Where You Can Go with Your Pet

In an emergency, you may need to leave home and stay somewhere else for a while. Unfortunately, not every hotel, shelter, or emergency center allows pets. That’s why it’s so important to plan.

What You Can Do Now:

●       Find pet-friendly hotels in your area or nearby towns.

●       Talk to friends or family who might be willing to take you and your pets in during a crisis.

●       Contact your local animal shelter to ask what emergency services they offer.

●       Print a list of these places and keep it in your emergency kit.

Having a plan in place will keep you from scrambling to find a safe spot for your pet during a stressful time.

5. Plan for Different Kinds of Pets

Most people think about dogs and cats, but what if you have birds, reptiles, or small animals like guinea pigs or rabbits, or even larger animals like horses?

Here Are Some Tips:

●       Birds need covered cages to protect them from smoke or cold. Pack seed, treats, and cleaning supplies.

●       Reptiles may need heat sources or battery-operated lamps to stay warm.

●       Small pets like hamsters and rabbits need secure carriers, food, and bedding.

●       Large animals need advanced planning. You can think of trailers, safe transport, and boarding options.

Each type of pet has unique needs, so be sure your plan covers all animals in your care.

What If You’re Not Home?

Emergencies can happen while you’re at work, on vacation, or running errands. What happens to your pet then?

Prepare Ahead:

●       Put a pet rescue alert sticker on your front window or door. It allows firefighters or rescuers to know what animals are inside.

●       Give a key to a trusted neighbor or friend who can check on or rescue your pet.

●       Use a pet camera or home monitoring system if you can, so you can check in remotely.

Just like how you create a babysitter plan for your kids, make sure someone can care for your pets if you're not there.

Spread the Word and Help Others Prepare

Prepared pet owners can help more than just their animals. When you know what to do, you can share that knowledge with friends, family, and neighbors. You can even encourage your community to become more pet-friendly during emergencies.

Here are a few ideas:

●       Share this blog post or our other tips.

●       Talk to your local shelters, schools, or community groups about pet preparedness.

●       Keep extra pet supplies on hand in case someone else needs help.

Preparedness is something we’ll all do better together.

Let’s Keep All Pets Safe

No one wants to think about emergencies, but taking a little time to prepare now can make a big difference for your pet if disaster ever strikes. Whether it’s a storm, fire, power outage, or evacuation, being ready means you and your pet can get to safety faster and stay together for longer.

At North Fork Animal Welfare League (NFAWL), we’re committed to helping protect animals in every situation. We believe all pets deserve love, safety, and a plan. So, raising awareness during National Pet Preparedness Month and encouraging every pet owner to take simple steps to be ready will really help significantly.

Your pets count on you. Let’s not let them down when it matters most.