Evacuation Checklist with Pets: Step-by-Step Guide
Evacuating with pets requires planning that most evacuation guides don't cover. Most public emergency shelters won't accept animals. Stressed pets behave unpredictably. And the decision of whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate is harder when leaving means leaving without a plan for your animals. This guide provides a concrete, step-by-step evacuation plan specifically for pet owners.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-01 · Based on Ready.gov, FEMA, ASPCA guidance
Before an Emergency: Shelter Research
Do this now — you won't have time during an evacuation.
- Identify 2+ pet-friendly hotels on each evacuation routecritical
Use BringFido.com or call directly. Pet policies change — recheck annually. Book rooms early when possible; pet-friendly rooms fill first.
- Check if your county has a co-located pet emergency sheltercritical
Many counties operate pet shelters adjacent to human shelters. Contact your county emergency management office.
- Identify friends or family outside your likely evacuation area who can shelter petscritical
Your most reliable option. Establish this agreement now — 'If we ever need to evacuate, can we bring the dog?'
- Research boarding facilities on your likely evacuation routes
Some boarding facilities prioritize existing clients during emergencies. Check their emergency policy.
- Save all shelter contacts in phone and print one copy for your go-bagcritical
Pet Go-Bag: What to Pack
Ready to grab in under 5 minutes.
- Food: 3-day supply in airtight containercritical
Label with feeding instructions. Include a manual can opener if packing wet food.
- Water: 1.5 gallons per dog, 0.75 gallons per cat per 3 dayscritical
Have a separate water supply for pets — don't drain your household supply.
- Collapsible food and water bowls(1 set per pet)critical
- Carrier for each cat (hard-sided preferred)critical
Required at most emergency shelters. Keep carriers accessible, not stored deep in a closet.
- Leashes: 2 per dog (backup in go-bag)critical
Panicked dogs run. A second leash means insurance if one breaks or is dropped.
- Vaccination records (waterproof copy)critical
Required to enter emergency shelters or boarding facilities.
- Photo of each pet (printed + digital)critical
For lost pet flyers and shelter intake forms.
- Prescription medications: 7-day supplycritical
- Pet first aid kit
- Familiar bedding or toy
Familiar scents reduce stress in shelter environments.
- Poop bags (dogs: 20+), litter and travel box (cats)critical
- Muzzle (dogs, even if gentle)
Panicked dogs may bite. A muzzle is a safety tool for shelters and vet visits during emergencies.
The Evacuation Sequence
- Put pets in their carriers/harnesses FIRST (before packing anything else)critical
Stressed pets will hide. Secure them immediately when you decide to evacuate — before they realize what's happening.
- Grab pet go-bag (should be pre-packed)critical
- Call pet-friendly shelter to confirm availability before driving there
- Secure pets in back seat or cargo area (never loose in car)critical
An unsecured pet in a vehicle accident is dangerous for both pet and humans. Use a crash-tested crate or harness.
If You Cannot Take Your Pets
Last resort — always try to take pets with you.
- Keep pets indoors if leaving (never chain outside)critical
A chained animal in a flood or fire has no escape. Indoor pets have slightly more options.
- Leave 5–7 days of food and water in large containerscritical
- Post a rescue alert sticker on your door or windowcritical
Include: types and number of animals, their location in the home, your contact number, vet's number. Available from ASPCA as a free sticker kit.
- Contact local animal rescue groups and neighbors immediatelycritical
- Return to retrieve pets as soon as it is safecritical
Detailed Guidance
Why Pets Cause Evacuation Delays — And How to Fix It
Research consistently shows that pet owners delay evacuation, refuse to evacuate, or return early to danger zones because of their animals. This is completely understandable — and preventable with advance planning. The preparation that changes this: 1. Pre-identified shelter: If you already know where you and your pet can go, there's no reason to delay. 2. Pre-packed pet go-bag: If the bag is already assembled, you spend 30 seconds grabbing it rather than 20 minutes assembling supplies. 3. Carriers accessible: Cats especially hide when stressed. If the carrier is out and familiar, capture is faster. 4. Decision made in advance: If you've already decided "we always evacuate with the pets when ordered to," you don't have to make that decision under stress. The time cost of pre-planning: 2–3 hours once. The benefit: You and your pets evacuate faster and safer than anyone who didn't plan. Source: Ready.gov, ASPCA
Keeping Pets Calm During Evacuation
Evacuations are extremely stressful for animals. Common behaviors: - Hiding or bolting (put carriers out early) - Excessive vocalization - Urinating or defecating outside the carrier - Biting or scratching even normally gentle animals Practical steps: - Spray Feliway (cats) or Adaptil (dogs) in carrier 30 minutes before loading - Cover the carrier with a light cloth (reduces visual stimulation) - Don't reassure nervously — calm, matter-of-fact handling is better than anxious attention - Short familiar phrases in a calm voice - Don't feed immediately before travel — motion sickness is common under stress For pets with severe anxiety, discuss pre-event anti-anxiety medications with your vet before you need them. Source: ASPCA
Official Sources
Related Resources
Emergency Kit with Pets
Full pet preparedness supply list and shelter planning.
Emergency Kit Calculator
Calculate food, water, and supplies including your pets.
Flood Preparedness Checklist
Flood evacuations often require leaving with pets on short notice.
Wildfire & Smoke Checklist
Wildfire is the most common scenario requiring rapid pet evacuation.
Car Emergency Kit
Vehicle supplies for evacuation with pets.
Emergency Contact Sheet
Include vet emergency number and microchip number.