Since 2006 federal law has required state and local emergency plans to "take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals." That is about planning and funding. It does not mean the Red Cross shelter down the road will take your dog: the CDC's own page says "pets may not be allowed in local shelters, unless they are service animals." So the plan is yours to make, and it is a short one.
The wording below is Ready.gov's, which is public domain.
And the rule everyone breaks: "If you evacuate, take your pets with you" (FEMA). The USDA puts it plainer: "if it's not safe for you, it's not safe for your pets." Pets left behind "are likely to be injured or lost" (CDC). The AVMA adds the part people learn the hard way: "evacuate your family, including your animals, as early as possible."
How much food and water to pack depends on who you ask. Ready.gov says "several days' supply"; the AVMA says 3 to 7 days of food and at least 7 days of water; the CDC says two weeks of both. Pack for the CDC's two weeks if you have the room, and never less than a week.
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Food, in an airtight waterproof container, and water | Two weeks per animal if you can. A manual can opener if any of it is canned. |
| Medication | "Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container." CDC: a two-week supply, plus a month of flea, tick and heartworm prevention. |
| A carrier or crate for each pet | Write the pet's name, your name and your phone number on it (CDC). |
| Backup collar with ID tag, and a leash or harness | |
| Papers, in a waterproof bag and on your phone | Rabies certificate, vaccination record, the microchip number and registry, prescriptions, a written description (breed, sex, color, weight), and recent photos. |
| A photo of you with your pet | "If you become separated from your pet, a picture will help you document ownership." |
| Litter and a box, trash bags, paper towels, disinfectant | |
| First aid kit | Sized for the animal. A pet first aid book if you own one. |
| Bowls that do not spill, and feeding instructions | Written down, for whoever ends up feeding them. |
| Familiar things | "Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit to reduce stress for your pets." |
The papers are the part people skip. My Pet holds the vaccine dates, the chip number, the medications and the vet's phone, and exports the record as a file you can keep in the same bag on a phone. Print the vet sheet too; paper does not need a charger.
The National Weather Service: "Animals can die of heatstroke within 15 minutes, and cracking the car windows doesn't help. NEVER leave your pets in parked vehicles." The hot car calculator shows the numbers, and the walk calculator the pavement.
The FDA: "Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say a storm is coming," keep them "in their carriers or crates," and "fight the temptation to go outside during the 'eye of the storm.'"
The EPA: "If you feel the effects of smoke, they probably do, too." Keep them in with windows shut, cut the exercise, and call the vet for coughing, open-mouth or noisy breathing, red or watery eyes, weakness or stumbling. Old, young, pregnant, and animals with heart or lung disease are most at risk.
Fireworks are a disaster of their own kind: the days after July 4 are among the highest stray-dog intake days of the year at US shelters (Shelter Animals Count). Indoors, gates checked, chip number checked.