June Check-In: Would Your Pet Be Ready if You Had to Go?

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• A 2021 ASPCA survey found that 83% of pet owners live in areas affected by natural disasters, but fewer than half have an emergency plan in place — and nearly 20% have had to evacuate without their pets
• Building a pet go-bag with 3 to 7 days of food, water, medications, vaccination records, ID tags, a sturdy leash and carrier, first-aid supplies, and comfort items can mean the difference between a smooth evacuation and a chaotic one
• A registered, up-to-date microchip is one of the single best ways to make sure your pet finds their way back to you if you get separated during a disaster
• Pet alert stickers on windows and doors tell first responders how many animals are inside your home — a small, free step that has saved countless pets when owners were not there to help
• Acclimating your pet to carriers and short car rides ahead of time, plus a practice evacuation run, helps prevent panic on the day you actually need to leave quickly

Picture this: A wildfire breaks out three counties over and the smoke is rolling in fast. The local sheriff puts out an evacuation alert. You have 30 minutes to grab what matters and get out. Your phone is buzzing. The kids are panicking. And there is your dog, looking up at you with those wide, worried eyes.

Where is their leash? Their carrier? Their food? Their medication? Their vaccination records? Where exactly are you all going to go that allows pets?

If you do not have an instant answer to those questions, you are not alone — and June is the perfect month to fix that. June is National Pet Preparedness Month, a yearly nudge to make sure your pets are part of your emergency plan, not an afterthought.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

The Reality Check

Disasters happen, and they do not send a calendar invite. House fires, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, power outages — any of them can force you out of your home with little or no warning. A 2021 ASPCA survey found that while 83% of pet owners live in areas affected by natural disasters, fewer than half have an actual emergency plan in place. Even more sobering: nearly 20% of those owners had to evacuate without their pets, sometimes leaving them behind for days or weeks.⁸

The good news is that a few hours of planning, spread out over a weekend or two, can change all of that. Here is how to get ready.

Step 1: Make the Plan

Do not wait until something is on fire to figure out who grabs the dog. Sit down with your household and walk through the basics. Decide who does what. Who is responsible for grabbing the carrier? Who collects the leash and food? Who handles the cat (always the trickiest one)? Assigning roles ahead of time means no one freezes up in the moment.

Figure out where you will go. Most public shelters do not allow pets, so you need a plan B. Make a list of pet-friendly hotels and motels in nearby cities. Ask family members or friends if they would be willing to take you and your pets in for a few days. Check with your local animal shelter to see if they offer emergency boarding or foster help during disasters. Save the phone numbers and addresses where you can find them fast.^9,10

Plan for the times you are not home. What if a fire breaks out while you are at work or running errands? Place a pet alert sticker on a front window or door so emergency responders know how many pets are inside and what kinds. It is a small step that has saved a lot of animals.

Then put it in writing. Print your plan, keep a copy with your emergency kit, and share another copy with anyone who might watch your pets while you are away.

Step 2: Build the Go-Bag

Every household with pets should have a dedicated emergency kit — a single bag or bin you can grab on the way out the door. Aim for at least 3 to 7 days of supplies, stored in a waterproof container that is easy to carry. Here is what to pack:¹¹

• Food and water for at least three to seven days, plus collapsible bowls and a manual can opener if you use canned food.
• A two-week supply of any medications your pet takes, plus copies of prescriptions.
• Flea and tick prevention (natural or medication); displacement may mean exposure to new parasites.
• Vaccination records, medical history, microchip number, and your veterinarian’s contact info — in a waterproof folder, on a USB stick, or saved on your phone.
• A sturdy leash, harness, and carrier, each labeled with your name and phone number.
• A collar with current ID tags, plus a recent photo of your pet.
• A photo of you and your pet together. If you get separated, this can prove ownership and help reunite you faster.
• First-aid supplies like pet-safe bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and gloves.
• A dedicated flashlight in case power is lost and you need to check on your pet.
• Sanitation gear: poop bags and trash bags, a small litter box and litter for cats, paper towels, potty pads, and pet-safe cleaning wipes.
• Comfort items: a favorite toy, a familiar blanket, or a worn t-shirt that smells like home. Stress drops fast when something familiar is in reach.

Set a reminder on your phone to check the kit every few months. Rotate out expired food and medication. Adjust for the season — a winter kit may need extra warmth, a summer kit needs to handle heat. The kit only works if it is ready when you are.

Step 3: Get the Paperwork in Order

In a real evacuation, paperwork can feel like the last thing you want to deal with. But it matters. A pet without proof of vaccinations may not be allowed in some boarding facilities or shelters. A pet without ID may end up at a county shelter you cannot track down. A pet without a registered microchip may stay lost forever.

So before disaster strikes, do a quick paperwork audit. Make sure your pet’s microchip is registered and that the contact info on it is current. (If you moved or changed phone numbers in the last few years, update it today.) If your pet is not microchipped yet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian — it is a quick procedure that can be a true lifesaver.¹²

Save digital copies of all your pet’s key records on your phone: vaccinations, prescriptions, medical conditions, allergies, feeding schedules, and your veterinarian’s phone number. Tuck a printed copy in your emergency kit, too, in case your phone dies.¹³

Step 4: Practice Before You Need To

In a true emergency, you do not want it to be the first time your dog has ever been in a carrier or your cat has ever ridden in a car. Animals that are not used to travel can panic, and panic costs precious minutes.

Spend a little time helping your pet get comfortable with carriers, harnesses, and short car rides. Treats and praise go a long way. Run a practice evacuation — grab the kit, leash up the dog, load the carrier, and time how long it takes. You will spot weak links you did not know you had.

If there is any chance you might fly with your pet during an evacuation, look up your airline’s pet travel rules in advance. Crate sizes, breed restrictions, and required paperwork all vary.¹⁴

Step 5: Stay Informed

In a fast-moving emergency, good information is everything. Set up multiple ways to receive alerts so you are not caught off guard. Sign up for your city or county’s emergency notifications. Follow your local fire department, sheriff’s office, and emergency management agency on social media. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in your emergency kit for power outages, and bookmark trusted local news outlets for live updates.

Plan Now, Breathe Easy Later

Emergencies are unpredictable, but your response does not have to be. A weekend of planning now — packing a go-bag, updating microchip info, practicing with the carrier, posting a pet alert sticker — can save your pet’s life when something goes wrong. It also gives you a huge gift on a stressful day: peace of mind. You will not be running through a smoke-filled house wondering where the leash is. You will know exactly where everything is, who is grabbing what, and where you are heading.

This June, take an hour and walk through your plan. Then take another hour to build the kit. Your future self — and your pet — will thank you.

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