Hurricanes, Wildfires and Floods: An Emergency Plan That Includes Your Pets

The first rule

Never evacuate without your pets — animals left behind may not survive, and rescuers may not be able to reach them. Plan on the assumption that you'll leave together, early, and know that many public shelters now accept pets (thanks to the federal PETS Act) but not all do.

The pet go-bag

Two weeks of food and water, meds, copies of vaccine records, a photo of you with your pet (proof of ownership), leash and carrier per animal, litter and tray, bowls, poop bags, a comfort item, and a basic first-aid kit. Store it with your own kit.

Know your destinations

List pet-friendly hotels along evacuation routes, plus friends or family who'd take you all in. Identify a boarding facility or vet outside your risk zone. During wildfire smoke events, keep pets indoors — their lungs suffer just like ours.

Microchip and mark

Disasters separate families: microchips with current phone numbers reunite them. Keep collars with tags on, and consider a rescue-alert sticker on your door listing pets inside for first responders when you're not home.