When hurricane warnings sound, wildfires approach, or tornado sirens wail, every second counts. Natural disasters strike with little warning, and in the chaos of evacuation, pets are often left behind. In fact, studies show that many people delay evacuation or refuse to leave because they can't take their pets with them. The truth is, if it's not safe for you, it's not safe for your pets either.
Planning ahead for natural disasters ensures that when the time comes, you can evacuate quickly and safely with your entire family - including your four-legged members. Let's create a comprehensive disaster plan that keeps everyone protected.
Understanding Your Local Risks
Different regions face different threats. The first step in disaster planning is understanding what you're planning for:
- Hurricanes and flooding: Coastal and low-lying areas, river valleys
- Tornadoes: Midwest, Southeast, and parts of the Great Plains
- Wildfires: Western states, areas with drought conditions
- Earthquakes: California, Pacific Northwest, New Madrid Seismic Zone
- Winter storms: Northern states, high-altitude regions
- Floods: Can occur anywhere, especially near water sources
Check with your local emergency management office to understand specific risks in your area and sign up for emergency alerts through local government or apps like FEMA or Red Cross emergency apps.
Creating Your Evacuation Plan
A solid evacuation plan answers the questions: Where will we go? How will we get there? What route will we take?
Identify Multiple Routes
Never rely on a single evacuation route. Traffic, road closures, and damaged infrastructure can make your primary route impassable. Plan at least three different routes out of your area:
- Primary route - Most direct path
- Secondary route - Alternative if primary is blocked
- Tertiary route - Backup option if both others fail
Drive each route during non-emergency times with your pet to familiarize them with car travel and identify pet-friendly rest stops along the way. Note gas stations, veterinary clinics, and 24-hour stores along each route.
Establish Meeting Points
Designate meeting locations if family members are separated:
- Primary location: A nearby park or landmark outside your immediate neighborhood
- Secondary location: A location outside your city or county
- Out-of-state contact: A relative or friend in another state who all family members can check in with
Finding Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelters
This is critical: not all emergency shelters accept pets. Research and document your options now, before you need them.
Pet-Friendly Shelter Options:
- Hotels and motels: Call pet-friendly hotels within 50-100 miles of your home; ask about their disaster evacuation policies. Many that don't normally accept pets may waive restrictions during emergencies. Keep a list with phone numbers.
- Friends and family: Identify relatives or friends outside your immediate area who could shelter you and your pets. Have a reciprocal agreement to help them if disaster strikes their area.
- Boarding facilities: Research kennels and boarding facilities outside your evacuation zone. Call to ask about their disaster protocols and whether they'd accept emergency boarders.
- Veterinary hospitals: Some veterinary clinics offer emergency boarding during disasters.
- Pet-friendly emergency shelters: Some communities have designated pet-friendly shelters. Contact your local emergency management office or animal control to find out what's available.
- Animal shelters: Local humane societies or animal shelters may provide temporary housing during disasters.
Create a Shelter Contact List
Compile contact information for all potential shelter options and keep copies in multiple locations:
- In your phone (with backup in the cloud)
- Printed in your pet emergency kit
- Shared with family members
- Given to your out-of-area emergency contact
Essential Documentation to Keep Ready
In evacuation scenarios, having proper documentation can mean the difference between your pet being admitted to a shelter or turned away. It also proves ownership if you become separated.
Critical Documents (Keep in Waterproof Container):
- Vaccination records - Current rabies certificate is essential; many shelters won't accept pets without proof of rabies vaccination
- Medical records - Including current medications, chronic conditions, allergies, and veterinarian contact information
- Proof of ownership - Adoption papers, purchase receipts, or registration documents
- Current photos - Clear, recent photos from multiple angles for identification; include any distinctive markings
- Microchip information - Registration number and contact information for the microchip company
- Emergency contact authorization - Written permission for another person to make medical decisions for your pet if you're unable
- Feeding and medication instructions - Detailed care instructions in case someone else needs to care for your pet
Keep original documents in a fireproof safe at home and carry copies in your evacuation kit. Store digital copies in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) accessible from any device.
Preparing Your Pet for Evacuation
Even the calmest pet can become stressed during an emergency evacuation. Preparation now reduces their anxiety later.
Carrier and Crate Training
Your pet should be comfortable with their carrier or crate before an emergency:
- Leave the carrier out in your home so it's a familiar object
- Feed treats and meals inside the carrier
- Practice short car trips in the carrier
- Gradually increase the time your pet spends in the carrier
- Make it a positive experience with praise and rewards
Identification
Multiple forms of identification increase the chances of reunion if you're separated:
- Collar with ID tag - Include your name, phone number, and an out-of-area contact number
- Microchip - Register it and keep information current; update immediately if you move or change phone numbers
- Temporary tag - During evacuation, add a tag with your evacuation destination or out-of-area contact
- Medical alert tag - If your pet has medical conditions that need immediate attention
Building a Pet Disaster Supply Kit
Your pet needs their own emergency supplies. For a complete supply list, see our guide on Building a Pet Emergency Kit. At minimum, include:
- 7-14 days of food and water
- Medications and medical records
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers
- First aid supplies
- Sanitation supplies (litter box, waste bags)
- Comfort items (favorite toy, blanket)
Special Considerations for Different Disasters
Hurricanes
You typically have advance warning with hurricanes. Use that time wisely:
- Evacuate early before roads become congested
- Never leave pets behind; they can't survive flood waters or hurricane-force winds
- Bring extra supplies - you may be displaced longer than expected
- Fill bathtubs with water before leaving in case you can't evacuate and lose water service
Wildfires
Wildfires can escalate rapidly:
- Have carriers and supplies ready at first sign of fire in your area
- Don't wait for mandatory evacuation orders if you see smoke or flames nearby
- Close all doors and windows as you leave to slow fire spread
- If you must leave pets temporarily (last resort), leave them in a room with outside access, never in carriers
Tornadoes
Tornadoes strike with little warning:
- Identify your shelter area in advance (interior room, basement)
- Keep carriers readily accessible
- Move pets to shelter area as soon as warning is issued
- Keep pets on leash or in carrier - they may bolt from the noise
Earthquakes
No advance warning makes preparation critical:
- Store carriers and supplies in accessible location that won't be blocked by debris
- After shaking stops, carefully evacuate with pets on leash
- Watch for aftershocks
- Pets may hide after an earthquake; know their hiding spots
If You Can't Take Your Pets
Sometimes, despite best planning, you may be forced to evacuate without your pets. While this should be an absolute last resort, here's what to do:
- Never leave pets chained, crated, or confined
- Leave them in a safe room with access to high ground
- Leave large amounts of water in multiple bowls (fill bathtub too)
- Leave dry food in sturdy containers they can access
- Post a notice on your door listing the number and types of pets inside
- Leave contact information
- Return for them as soon as it's safe
After the Disaster
When you return home after a disaster:
- Keep pets on leash or in carrier - familiar areas may now be dangerous
- Check for hazards: exposed nails, broken glass, contaminated water, chemical spills
- Re-establish routines as quickly as possible to reduce stress
- Watch for changes in behavior that may indicate illness or injury
- Update your emergency plan based on lessons learned
Practice Makes Perfect
The best disaster plan is one you've practiced. At least twice a year:
- Review and update your evacuation routes
- Practice evacuating with your pets
- Update contact lists and check that phone numbers are current
- Review and refresh your emergency supplies
- Update photos and medical records
- Confirm your shelter arrangements are still valid
Make disaster preparedness a family discussion. Ensure everyone knows the plan, their responsibilities, and how to execute the evacuation safely with pets.
Peace of Mind Through Preparation
Natural disasters are frightening, but having a solid plan transforms panic into action. When you know exactly what to do, where to go, and that your pets will be safe with you, you can focus on what matters: keeping your family together and getting to safety.
Your pets depend on you completely. They can't prepare themselves, evacuate themselves, or understand what's happening. By planning ahead, you honor that trust and ensure that no matter what nature throws your way, your beloved companions will be protected.
Start today. Make that list of pet-friendly hotels. Pack that emergency kit. Update those microchip records. The peace of mind you'll gain is worth every minute of preparation. And if disaster never strikes, you've lost nothing but gained valuable preparedness skills. If disaster does strike, you may very well save your pet's life.
For more emergency preparedness guidance, explore our Emergency Preparedness Checklist and learn how to recognize medical emergencies in your pet.