Pet Emergency Plan Template

Planning for your furry family members is an important component of being prepared for emergencies.  Your pets depend on you for food, water and shelter and will rely on your steady manner to remain calm during disasters.

Use our free Pet Emergency Plan Template to create a pet emergency plan that works for your household.  When you're done, brush up on your pet preparedness knowledge with the information below.

During a Disaster

• Bring your pets inside immediately.
  
   
• Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
  
   
• Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
  
   
• Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
  
   
• In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

After a Disaster

• If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
  
   
• In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
  
   
• The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.

Pet Emergency Kits

Your pets need their own emergency supplies including food and water, play toys and poop bags.  You can either make your own emergency kit for your pets or buy one.  If you decide to make your own, use our list of pet emergency kit contents as a checklist.  We offer two types of ready-made pet emergency kits: one for cats and and one for dogs.  Our 72 hour pet emergency kits include:

• Three day supply of food and water
• Food and water dishes
• Leash & Collar
• Play toys
• Poop Bags
• First aid kit
• and more!

Learn more about the pet disaster kits from Ready Set Go Kits.

Additional Resources

Use the following free additional resources to further your knowledge in pet emergency preparedness:

FEMA Independent Study: IS-10 Animals in Disasters: Module A: Awareness and Preparedness

FEMA Independent Study: IS-11 Animals in Disasters: Module B, Community Planning 

ASCPA | Disaster Preparedness

Video: This video from Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program discusses both emergency preparedness for household pets as well as livestock animals.  Click to download: Animals in Emergences

Your local American Red Cross Chapter at times offers Pet Emergency Preparedness programs.