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Part of Make an emergency plan

Pet preparedness

Learn how to prepare to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the event of a disruption, emergency or disaster.

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Make an emergency plan

Overview

Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Keep your pets safe by taking preparedness actions that consider your pets unique needs before an emergency occurs.  

Use this Emergency preparedness for your pets fact sheet for pet preparedness tips. 

Use the Emergency kit checklist for your pets (printable brochure).

See translated resources for this fact sheet and checklist in other languages.

Make a plan 

Having a pet emergency pet plan helps you navigate disruptions when they occur more easily, reducing stress on both you and your pet. 

Plan considerations

When building your plan consider the following:

  • How will you gather and transport your pets?
  • Where will you go and what will you bring?
  • What are your pet’s stressors and how can you calm them?
  • Is your pet friendly with people and animals?
  • Does your pet have food and medications that require refrigeration?

Create an emergency contact list that includes pet friendly hotels, kennels, shelters, friends and family. Consider adding contacts that are within your community, outside your community as well as outside of your municipality. When an emergency occurs, the contact list will help you quickly secure a safe place for your pet to stay.

Pet profile

Create a pet profile card for each of your pets. Make sure to store a digital copy and keep a copy in your pet’s carrier. A profile keeps your pet’s critical information in one place helping you to provide information, if required, on short notice.  

Profile considerations for information: 

  • owner (name, address and phone number)
  • pet (name, type, breed, birth date, sex and colour)
  • pet registration (tattoo, microchip and license number(s), as applicable)
  • pet health (vaccinations, allergies, special care needs, height, weight, spayed/neutered, etc.)
  • pet description (notable markings, features, collar colour, etc.)
  • vet (clinic name, address and phone number)
  • A photo of you with your pet (this assists with reunification if separated and supports proof of ownership).

Know when to stay or go

For your safety, authorities may direct you to shelter in place or evacuate. It is important to follow all directions and to stay informed as the situation and directions can change quickly.

  • Shelter in place with pets

    If authorities direct you to shelter in place, it is important to follow all instructions and tune into your news source for updates. These situations can last a few hours or a few days so it is a good idea to gather enough supplies to last a minimum of 14 days. 

    Shelter in place considerations:

    • Practice sheltering in place with pets in your identified shelter locations. Do the locations fit all household members, pets and sheltering supplies? Will everyone be as safe as possible co-located in the same space?
    • If your shelter space doesn’t fit all household members, sheltering supplies and pets in the same space, consider how best to keep pets secured. For their safety, avoid letting them roam freely indoors.
    • Keep pets indoors. If they get loose outside, do not chase them as it puts yourself and others at risk. 

  • Evacuating with pets

    Some reception centres don’t allow pets or certain types of pets, but they can help you gain access to supports, services and in locating pet-friendly accommodations or temporary shelter space, if needed. 

    Evacuation considerations: 

    • Plan to never leave your pet behind by setting up a buddy system. Ask friends, family or those who live nearby to be your pet’s buddy. If an evacuation order was issued while your pet is home alone, and access to your community is restricted a buddy can pick up your pet. It is important to make sure your buddy is familiar with your pet(s) and that they have a key to get into you home before an emergency occurs.
    • If you must leave your pet behind, increase their chance of survival by not confining or tethering them, leaving out lots of food and ensuring access to water (e.g.,  fill a bathtub or large storage bins full of water).

    Contact your local emergency management office to learn about the emergency plans in your community.

Gather supplies and build a kit

Having supplies on hand like pet medications, extra food, etc. reduce the likelihood of personal emergencies occurring when access to services and supplies are disrupted or when a shelter in place advisory is issued for your area.  
Prepared an emergency kits for your pet(s) support a quick grab and go when every second counts. If space to store emergency kits is an issue, make a grab and go list that you post in a central location instead. A list ensures you don’t forget any essentials items.

Use the Emergency kit checklist for your pets.

See Translated resources for this checklist in other languages.

  • The basics

    • sturdy pet carrier or crate (labelled)
    • pet first-aid kit and guide book
    • 7 to 14 day supply of food and water
    • food and water bowls
    • liquid dish soap, disinfectant and paper towels
    • garbage bags/waste bags for clean-up
    • extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
    • blankets, towels and toys or other comfort items
    • manual can-opener
    • recent photo of you and your pet together (proves ownership)
    • 14 day supply of medications (stored in a waterproof container)

  • Pet specific recommendations

    Dogs

    • toys/comfort items
    • treats
    • muzzle
    • leash and collar

    Cats

    • toys
    • litter and tray (aluminum roasting pans work too)
    • harness and leash

    Birds

    • cage or carrier and a blanket to cover cage
    • spray bottle to moisten your bird’s feathers
    • if the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels that you can change frequently
    • keep the carrier in an area that is as quiet as possible
    • consider buying a timed feeder – if you are separated, this ensures the feeding schedule is not interrupted

    Reptiles

    • pillowcase or permanent housing for transportation
    • soaking bowl and heating pad

    Small animals

    • hamsters, gerbils, mice and guinea pigs should be transported in secure carriers with bedding materials, food and food bowls
    • salt lick, extra water bottle and hide box or tube

  • Pet first aid kit

    • muzzle
    • protective/rubber gloves
    • rubbing alcohol/antiseptic wipes
    • hydrogen peroxide (3% strength)
    • stretch bandage or vet wrap
    • pen light
    • blanket for transport
    • cotton tipped swabs/balls
    • adhesive tape, gauze squares, gauze roll
    • no stick sterile wound dressing
    • antibacterial soap
    • sterile rinse solution (saline, such as eyewash or wound flush)
    • clean syringes (1cc and 5cc)
    • splinting item (tongue depressor or popsicle stick for small pets)
    • bandage scissors
    • tweezers
    • first aid ointment or cream
    • lubricating jelly or plain Vaseline
    • corn syrup (for diabetic/low blood sugar)
    • instant cold packs

  • Short term housing

    When registering your pet at reception centre, temporary housing, or placing your pet in care, some or all of the following items may be needed.

    • sturdy pet carrier or crate (labelled)
    • collar, harness, leash, and muzzle
    • active pet license with your municipality – if you become separated, this will assist in their return
    • up-to-date ID (for example: tattoo, microchip, collar with tags, and more.)
    • current list of medications, allergies, and food restrictions
    • current vaccination records and insurance information
    • current feeding schedule and behaviour concerns, if applicable

After an emergency with pets

Research shows that having a pet by your side through emergencies can provide comfort, increase resilience and reduce recovery time.

  • Returning home

    Depending on the emergency or disaster, your home may look and smell different which can be confusing for your pet. It will be important to keep pets on leash or in a carrier so they don’t get lost or hurt.

    Here are some tips to make sure your return home is as safe as possible:

    • check your home for sharp objects, spilled chemicals, and exposed wiring
    • monitor animals closely, as these types of situations can change their behaviour
    • only release your pets in a safe and secure place

  • Where to go for help

    If your pet gets lost, contact emergency animal shelters, local animal rescues, veterinarians, or animal control. If your pet is found, you will need proof of ownership. A photo of you and your pet may satisfy this request.

  • Recovery assistance

    Your provincial and local government have a responsibility to help a community through recovery from a disaster or major emergency. However, provincial programs are never guaranteed and are not a supplement for private insurance.

    Some examples of support are:

    • programs, grants and tax incentives that support reconstruction
    • financial assistance through programs such as the Disaster Recovery Program
    • arrange for the availability of insurance services
    • work with local community to provide advice and the coordination of provincial support

    Visit Disaster financial assistance and recovery support for more information.

Translated resources

Education materials you can read, print and download to share online and within your community. Translated versions are available in українською (Ukrainian), عربي (Arabic), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi), Deutsch (High German), Plautdietsch (Low German), Español (Spanish), Français (French) and Tagalog (Tagalog).

Video

How can you ensure your pets are safe when an emergency occurs?

Pets are beloved members of many households and should be included in your emergency plans. Watch and share this quick video with pet owners in your network so they can prepare too.

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