• Assemble a pet emergency kit prior to all emergencies and include items such as:

  • Water and food.

  • Leash, harness or muzzle.

  • Copy of all updated vaccinations and licenses.

  • Any medication.

  • A pet carrier or cage.

  • Plastic bags for sanitation purposes.

  • Photo identification of your pet.

  • Manual can opener.

  • Any pertinent containers (e.g., food dishes, liter boxes, etc.)

Make sure the items in this kit will last at least three days. Place kits in your vehicle or at pre-designated locations prior to evacuation. 

• If asked to evacuate your area do not leave pets behind - there is a chance they may not survive or they may get lost before you return.

• Know your pet’s hiding places so that you can easily find them when evacuating your location, so time is not lost.

• Make a list of hotels, kennels, and boarding facilities that allow for animals, including locations outside your immediate area. 

• Note all kennels and boarding facilities require veterinarian records to prove vaccinations are current, so make sure all records are updated. 

• Use animal shelters as a last resort due to the possibility of normal overcrowding. 

• Use friends and family for assistance.

• Be sure your pet has proper identification tags securely fastened to the collar. 

Be cautious when approaching wild animals during or after emergency situations. Remember, most animals are disoriented and displaced, too.  Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: 

Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and newspapers or trash bags for clean-up. 

• Do not corner them.  Animals will likely feel threatened.

• If an animal is trapped seek assistance from a professional animal control officer or a certified handler. 

• Wild animals such as snakes, opossums, and raccoons may seek refuge anywhere possible, including in homes or businesses. If you encounter animals in this situation, open a window, door or another escape route and allow the animal to leave on its own. 

• Do not attempt to capture or handle the animal and should the animal stay, call your local animal control office or animal shelter.

• If you see an injured or stranded animal, do not approach or attempt to help.  Call your local animal control office or animal shelter.

• Keep away from all animal carcasses due to the possible presence of serious health risks and contact your local health department for specific help and instructions. 

• Animals may carry rabies, and care should be taken to avoid contact with all stray animals, especially rodents. 

• Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. 

• Downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster. 

• If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible. 

• After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.