Overview
Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Keep your pets safe by taking preparedness actions that consider your pets unique needs before an emergency occurs.
Use this Emergency preparedness for your pets fact sheet for pet preparedness tips.
Use the Emergency kit checklist for your pets (printable brochure).
See translated resources for this fact sheet and checklist in other languages.
Make a plan
Having a pet emergency pet plan helps you navigate disruptions when they occur more easily, reducing stress on both you and your pet.
Plan considerations
When building your plan consider the following:
- How will you gather and transport your pets?
- Where will you go and what will you bring?
- What are your pet’s stressors and how can you calm them?
- Is your pet friendly with people and animals?
- Does your pet have food and medications that require refrigeration?
Create an emergency contact list that includes pet friendly hotels, kennels, shelters, friends and family. Consider adding contacts that are within your community, outside your community as well as outside of your municipality. When an emergency occurs, the contact list will help you quickly secure a safe place for your pet to stay.
Pet profile
Create a pet profile card for each of your pets. Make sure to store a digital copy and keep a copy in your pet’s carrier. A profile keeps your pet’s critical information in one place helping you to provide information, if required, on short notice.
Profile considerations for information:
- owner (name, address and phone number)
- pet (name, type, breed, birth date, sex and colour)
- pet registration (tattoo, microchip and license number(s), as applicable)
- pet health (vaccinations, allergies, special care needs, height, weight, spayed/neutered, etc.)
- pet description (notable markings, features, collar colour, etc.)
- vet (clinic name, address and phone number)
- A photo of you with your pet (this assists with reunification if separated and supports proof of ownership).
Know when to stay or go
For your safety, authorities may direct you to shelter in place or evacuate. It is important to follow all directions and to stay informed as the situation and directions can change quickly.
Gather supplies and build a kit
Having supplies on hand like pet medications, extra food, etc. reduce the likelihood of personal emergencies occurring when access to services and supplies are disrupted or when a shelter in place advisory is issued for your area.
Prepared an emergency kits for your pet(s) support a quick grab and go when every second counts. If space to store emergency kits is an issue, make a grab and go list that you post in a central location instead. A list ensures you don’t forget any essentials items.
Use the Emergency kit checklist for your pets.
See Translated resources for this checklist in other languages.
After an emergency with pets
Research shows that having a pet by your side through emergencies can provide comfort, increase resilience and reduce recovery time.
Translated resources
Education materials you can read, print and download to share online and within your community. Translated versions are available in українською (Ukrainian), عربي (Arabic), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi), Deutsch (High German), Plautdietsch (Low German), Español (Spanish), Français (French) and Tagalog (Tagalog).
Video
How can you ensure your pets are safe when an emergency occurs?
Pets are beloved members of many households and should be included in your emergency plans. Watch and share this quick video with pet owners in your network so they can prepare too.