Companion Animal Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness for companion animals prevents suffering and death during natural disasters and other emergencies.

Key Facts

An estimated 600,000 pets died or were left behind during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, prompting the PETS Act requiring states to include pets in evacuation plans
The PETS Act (2006) mandates that state and local emergency plans accommodate the needs of people with pets and service animals
Microchipping is the most reliable method for reuniting lost pets with owners after disasters since collars can be lost
Pet emergency kits should include 7 days of food, water, medication, vaccination records, and carrier for each animal
Animals experience significant stress during evacuations and require familiar items, continued routine, and calm owner demeanor
Wildfire evacuations give less than 15 minutes warning in some scenarios, making pre-packed emergency kits essential
Disaster animal response teams (DARTs) provide trained volunteers to rescue and shelter animals during emergencies

Welfare Considerations

Disaster preparedness directly prevents animal suffering and death since unprepared owners leave pets behind during evacuations, exposing them to fire, flood, storm, and starvation. The welfare consequences of animals left behind in disasters are severe and well-documented from major events including Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and California wildfires. Animals separated from owners during evacuations experience acute stress from the disaster itself compounded by separation anxiety, unfamiliar environments, and potential dehydration and starvation. Pre-preparation including microchipping, vaccination records, emergency kit maintenance, and pet-inclusive evacuation planning takes minimal time and resource investment while dramatically reducing disaster welfare impacts. The emotional welfare cost to owners of being forced to choose between their own safety and their pets during an emergency is itself significant, making pet-inclusive emergency planning a human welfare issue alongside animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Prepare a 7-day emergency kit for each pet including food, medication, vaccination records, and carrier
Ensure all pets are microchipped and registration information is current with contact details that work during displacement
Identify pet-friendly emergency shelters and hotels along your evacuation routes before disaster strikes
Register with your local emergency management office if you have animals requiring special evacuation assistance