Companion Animal Disaster Preparedness: Keeping Pets Safe

Disasters displace millions of pets annually. Prior planning and preparedness dramatically improves outcomes for companion animals in emergencies.

Key Facts

During Hurricane Katrina, an estimated 250,000 pets were left behind when owners evacuated
Many people refuse to evacuate if they cannot take their pets — creating human safety risks
The PETS Act (2006) requires US disaster plans to accommodate pets and service animals
Pet-friendly emergency shelters remain insufficient in many regions despite legislative requirements
Microchipping dramatically increases reunion rates for displaced pets after disasters
Emergency kits for pets should include 72 hours of food, water, medication, and carrier
Exotic and farm animals require separate emergency planning with appropriate transport

Welfare Considerations

Companion animal disaster welfare is inseparable from human safety — people who cannot bring pets may not evacuate at all. The welfare impacts of disasters on companion animals include drowning, burning, starvation, injury, and the profound distress of separation from familiar humans and environments. Post-disaster companion animals may spend days or weeks in unfamiliar shelters or abandoned, with significant welfare consequences. Prevention through preparedness is the most effective intervention: identification through microchipping, carrier training to reduce evacuation stress, and emergency kits assembled before emergencies occur. Community preparation including pet-friendly sheltering arrangements reduces the agonising choice between human safety and animal welfare that confronts owners in unplanned evacuations.

What You Can Do

Microchip all pets and keep registration information current
Assemble an emergency kit for your pet including 72 hours of supplies
Train cats and dogs to accept carriers comfortably so emergency transport is less stressful
Identify pet-friendly accommodation options in your likely evacuation destination
Advocate for pet-inclusive emergency sheltering policies in your community