Hurricane Preparedness and Your Pet

When you are making a plan and building your kit, be sure to include your pets and plan for their safety during an emergency.

Make a plan for your pet.

  • Find out ahead of time if public shelters and hotels in your area accept pets. Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets, but service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed.
  • Assign a family member to be responsible for your pet’s needs in an emergency. Talk with your neighbors, family and friends about taking care of your pets or getting them to safety if your family is not able to.
  • Get your pet microchipped and have copies of vaccine records with your current address and phone number. Include an emergency contact such as a relative of friend outside your local area. Include a copy of your pet’s registration information.
  •  Take a photo of yourself with your pet to help you prove ownership and identify your pet in case you are separated. Keep contact information of your local animal control office and shelters in case they find your pet.
  • Include your pets in family evacuation drills to make sure they get used to calmly getting into a crate or carrier.

Build a kit for your pet that includes the following:

  • Food and water: Include food and water for several days in your kit. Make sure the food container is airtight and waterproof. Don’t forget bowls.
  • Medicine: Keep extra medicine that your pet takes regularly. Keep it in an airtight container.
  • First aid supplies: Have items on hand that are specific to your pet’s needs. 
  • Collar, ID tag, leash or harness: Keep a backup collar and leash in your kit along with an ID tag that has current contact information.
  • Crate or carrier: Have a separate carrier for each pet, if possible.
  • Grooming items: Put shampoo and other items you use to clean your pet into your kit.
  • Sanitation items: Pet waste bags, litter and a litter box are items to include in your kit.
  • Comfort items: Toys, treats and bedding that help your pet feel more comfortable and help reduce stress are a good idea to include in your kit.

Large animals and livestock:

  • Large animals: Consider evacuating large animals and move them sooner rather than later.
  • If possible, move livestock to higher ground. If you use a horse trailer, move the animals as soon as possible.  
  • Make sure you have a second route mapped out in case your original route is blocked or backed up.
  • Make sure the place you plan to take your animals has food, water, veterinary care and equipment to handle the animals.
  • If you cannot evacuate the animals, you must decide whether to move them to a barn or turn them loose outside.

For additional information on how to care for pets and other animals during and after a storm, visit the following sites:
American Humane
ASPCA
American Red Cross