Creating an evacuation plan with your pets in mind can lessen the chance your pets will become lost or hurt prior to, during, and after a natural disaster. Planning ahead may also help you avoid the stress of waiting until the last minute to gather items for your pets. Area thrift stores including the Humane Society of North Central Florida thrift store may have a variety of items, at a lesser cost, to fulfill your pet's needs when putting together an evacuation kit.
Review the following lists below to see how well prepared you are to evacuate with your pet when needed, and consider additional resources for exotic pets.
- Essential
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Food/water (enough for 3 weeks), manual can opener, can food covers, small spray bottle to help cool pet down, pet dishes, litterbox, litter, poop scooper, collar/harness, leash, hard plastic pet carrier/wire crate, poop bags (plastic shopping bags, etc.), 1-3 toys, unscented wipes for wiping out crate and cleaning up accidents, a wet hand towel to help with cooling pet down.
- Emergency Kit
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Prescription medication, extra prescription scripts, flea/tick prevention, calming aids (treats, medications, thunder shirt, sprays, etc.) scissors, vet wrap, cotton balls, 2x2 cotton squares, waterproof bandage tape, alcohol pads, Q-Tips, tweezers, toenail clippers, towels, small blanket, extra cash on hand, two copies of pet records from veterinarian (one for you and one for backup) primarily used for proof of vaccines and documented health issues. Place small items in either a plastic ziplock or a small tote.
- Tote
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A medium to large plastic container to place all your pets items in for safe keeping. Using a permanent marker, write on the outside of the tote lid ‘Evacuation Kit for (Pet name).’ Note date on masking tape attached to tote lid as this will help keep items up to date such as food and medications. Place tote somewhere accessible such as a closet or garage. Pet carrier/wire crate may be laid on top of evacuation tote for easy access.
- Pet Carrier/Wire Crate
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Pet’s name, your first and last name, phone number on outside of carrier with permanent marker. Do not use soft-sided crates as they do not safely contain pets or protect them from harm.
In addition, write the following information on index cards then laminate and attach to outside of carrier/crate with a carabiner: your name, physical address, phone number, second point of contact outside of your home area, photos of pet especially one of you with pet, written description of pet including any medical issue, fears, special features, your veterinarian info, microchip info, and pet insurance info.
The information provided by you will assist others in helping to reunite your pets with their family if ever separated during an evacuation. It also alerts care takers to any potential health or safety issue related to your pets.
Carrier/crate should be large enough for your pet to stand up and move around in.
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- Pet Identification
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ID tags and/or ID collar (pet’s name, your name, phone number, second point of contact). Along with the ID, consider having your pets microchipped which is permanent and relatively inexpensive. This procedure may be done at your veterinarian or local humane society. If pet has microchip, verify information is current as well as any membership fees if applicable. Microchips for pets do not contain GPS functions.
**During and after bad weather, cell towers may be down, your cell phone may not work. Therefore, it is important to have written down your alternate point of contact who lives out of the evacuated area as well as information on your veterinarian and animal shelters in the area.
Example 1Image
Jack the Pumpkin King
Pet's Information as of 5/20/23
Age: 21 months Sex: NM
Fur/Eye Color: Orange/Orange
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Markings: Tabby with white spots on chin, throat, and lower belly
Special Characteristics: Polydactyle on front feet (6 toes) and back feet (5 toes)
Medications: None at this time
*Jack doesn't like thunderstorms*
Example 2Jack the Pumpkin King
Owner's Information as of 8/1/2022
Name: Cj Jones Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: cjmont@xyz.com
Physical Address: 12345 Help Drive
Gainesville, FL 32601
Mailing Address (if different): PO Box 000
Gainesville, FL 32601
Example 3Jack the Pumpkin King
Contact's Information as of 8/1/2022
Second Contact (out of the area)
Name: Sam Smith Phone: (000) 234-5678
Email: samjones@uvw.com
Physical Address: 6789 Lois Lane
Sweetwater, CO 65481
Mailing Address (if different): NA
Example 4Jack the Pumpkin King
Veterinarian Information as of 8/1/2022
Clinic: Wildhorse Animal Clinic
Veterinarian: Dr. Hope Phone: (555) 123-4512
Email: WHAC@xyz.com
Physical Address: 22222 Windy Court
Gainesville, FL 32003
Vaccines: FVRCP, FELV, Rabies (Due 3/16/24)
Microchip: 123456ABC
Safe Pet Insurance (555) 789-4561
Policy #: 1furryboy
- Additional information and resources
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Alachua County Animal Services Disaster Preparation for Pets
American Red Cross: Pet Disaster Preparedness
American Veterinary Medical Association: Saving the Whole Family Disaster Preparedness
Center for Disease Control:
Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit
Pets in Evacuation CentersFEMA: Are you "Petpared" for Disasters? (English and other languages)
FloridaDisaster.org: Make a Pet Plan
Food and Drug Administration: Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit: Don't Fail to Plan
Humane Society of the United States: Pet disaster preparedness
Ready.gov:
Prepare Your Pets for Disasters (English and other languages)
Prepare Your Pets for Disasters (flyer)
Thank you to Leesha B. of the Humane Society of North Central Florida, Faith A., Dr. Hall, and Olivia E. of the Newberry Animal Hospital at 39th Ave., and PetSmart on SW Archer Road for their assistance in developing this blog.