Why this matters
Record each animal’s identification, health needs, behaviour, food, water and handling. Keep carriers, leads, harnesses and cleaning supplies accessible. Practise calm loading rather than waiting for an alarm.
Check which shelters, transport and accommodation accept pets, and understand the protections that apply to service animals in your location. Never assume a public shelter can take every species or provide supplies.
Before disruption
Prepare now
- Maintain identification, registration, photographs and veterinary information.
- Store familiar food, water, medicines, bowls, bedding, waste supplies and a safe restraint or carrier.
- Arrange a trusted backup carer outside the immediate household.
- Map pet-friendly destinations and specialist options for livestock or unusual species.
- Condition animals gradually to carriers, travel, alarms and handling where appropriate.
When it is happening
Protect the next decision
- Bring animals inside or secure them early when official warnings indicate danger.
- Use a lead, harness or carrier during movement even if the animal is normally reliable.
- Keep animals away from floodwater, debris, smoke, contaminated food and unfamiliar wildlife.
- Contact veterinary or animal-welfare professionals for injury, poisoning, severe distress or missing animals.
Plan for real people
Access, care and inclusion
- Keep service animals with their handler and protect access, food, rest and working equipment.
- Plan who can handle the animal if the owner is injured or separated.
- Consider allergies, fear and cultural attitudes in shared transport and shelter.
- Do not place a child in charge of an animal during a dangerous evacuation.
Mental readiness
Protect morale and clear thinking
- Familiar bedding, toys and feeding routines can calm animals and people.
- Caring for an animal can provide structure, but responsibilities should be shared realistically.
- Allow quiet recovery time after alarms, travel or crowded shelter.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Leaving evacuation planning until a shelter refuses an animal.
- Releasing domestic animals into dangerous conditions because they are distressed.
- Feeding unfamiliar human food or giving unverified medicines.
Evidence and review
Sources behind this guide
Prepare Now uses authoritative government, humanitarian and public-health material as a starting point. Source advice can be specific to a country, hazard or date, so check the current version for your location.
- Make an Emergency PlanPublic Safety Canada
- Make a PlanNew Zealand National Emergency Management Agency
- Kit de EmergenciaChile SENAPRED
- Build a KitFEMA
Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.