Pet Emergency Kit: Don’t Forget Your Animals
Your pets depend entirely on you in an emergency: they can’t pack their own pet disaster kit or arrange their own evacuation. Yet in disaster after disaster, pets are left behind, separated from their owners, or arrive at shelters without the food and medications they need. This guide makes sure that doesn’t happen to your animals.
Whether you have dogs, cats, small animals, or birds, this complete pet emergency preparedness guide covers what to pack, how to plan, and the best products to keep your animals safe when disaster strikes.
of US households own at least one pet: AVMA
of pet owners have no emergency plan for their animals
Year PETS Act was passed, requiring evacuation plans include pets
Dog Emergency Kit
A dog emergency kit should cover 72 hours minimum. Keep it in a dedicated bag that can be grabbed alongside your own emergency bag.
- Food (3-day supply): dry food stores best; measure and bag each day’s portion for convenience
- Water (1 litre per 10 lbs of dog per day): a 30 lb dog needs 3 litres per day
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Medications (3-day supply): in labelled containers with dosing instructions
- Vaccination records: required by most pet-friendly shelters
- Leash (standard + slip lead backup)
- Collar with ID tags (current contact info)
- Microchip records: document the chip number and registry
- Recent photo of you with your pet: proves ownership if separated
- Comfort item (favourite toy or blanket)
- Poop bags (20+)
- Towel: drying after rain, emergency bed
- Pet first aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, tweezers for ticks/splinters
- Crate or carrier (if your dog uses one)
- Calming treats or thunder shirt: disasters cause severe stress in animals
Cat Emergency Kit
Cats present unique challenges in emergencies: they’re harder to control and more prone to panicking. Planning ahead reduces the chaos significantly.
- Food (3-day supply): wet and dry; wet food provides hydration
- Water (1 litre per day per cat)
- Carrier (hard-sided for safety): a cat in an emergency without a carrier is a cat you may lose
- Portable litter box + litter (collapsible tray + 1-gallon bag of litter)
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Medications + vaccination records
- Collar with ID tags
- Microchip records
- Recent photo
- Comfort item (familiar scented blanket or toy)
- Pheromone spray (Feliway): reduces cat anxiety in unfamiliar environments
Small Animals, Birds & Reptiles
Small Mammals (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters)
- Transport cage or carrier
- 3-day food supply + hay (for rabbits and guinea pigs)
- Water bottle
- Bedding material
- Small comfort items from their habitat
Birds
- Travel cage sized for the bird
- 3-day seed/pellet supply
- Cover for the cage (reduces stress)
- Familiar perch
- Temperature considerations: birds are sensitive to temperature extremes
Reptiles
- Secure transport container
- Heat pack or portable heating source
- 3-day food supply
- Humidity-maintaining supplies if required
Pet Evacuation Planning
Your family evacuation plan must explicitly include your pets. Leaving a pet behind in an emergency is traumatic, often permanent, and may be avoidable with planning.
- Know your bug out route’s pet policies: Identify which hotels along your evacuation route are pet-friendly. Keep a list of 3–5 options.
- Identify a trusted pet guardian: If you’re incapacitated, who takes responsibility for your pets? Arrange this in advance, in writing.
- Practice loading your pets: Run a drill so everyone: including the animals: knows the routine.
- Consider your pet’s specific needs: A diabetic dog needs refrigerated insulin. A small reptile may die in a cold car. Plan specifically.
Finding Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelters
Since the PETS Act of 2006, federally funded emergency shelters must have provisions for pets. In practice, this varies by jurisdiction. Call your local emergency management agency before a disaster to ask about pet-friendly shelter options. Also check:
- The ASPCA Emergency Pet Hotline: 888-426-4435
- Your local humane society or animal shelter (often coordinates pet evacuation)
- Petfriendlyhotels.com and Pets Welcome for emergency lodging
- Your local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) for local shelter information
Recommended Products
Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack: Dog Backpack
Train your dog to carry their own supplies. The Ruffwear Front Range is the best dog pack available: well-fitted, durable, and comfortable for medium to large dogs. A trained dog can carry their own food and water (up to 25% of their body weight), dramatically reducing the load on human evacuation bags.
- Two side pockets for food, water, and supplies
- Padded chest and belly straps: dogs actually tolerate it well
- Top handle for lifting dogs over obstacles
Petmate Sky Kennel Hard-Sided Cat Carrier
A hard-sided carrier keeps cats contained and protected during chaotic evacuations in a way soft-sided carriers can’t. The Sky Kennel is airline-approved, has good ventilation, and the door latches are secure enough to resist a panicking cat. Every cat owner needs this.
- Hard-sided, crush-resistant construction
- Secure latching door
- Airline approved: works for travel and evacuation
RC Pet Products Expandable Travel Dog Bag
A dedicated dog go bag that holds food, water, bowls, medications, and documents in one organised tote. Keeps all your pet’s emergency supplies together and ready to grab alongside your own bug out bag. Much better than scrambling to find things in multiple locations.
- Holds 3-day pet supply in one organised bag
- Insulated pockets for medications
- Expandable main compartment
Pet Emergency Kit FAQ
Can I take my pet to an emergency shelter?
Since the PETS Act of 2006, federally funded shelters must accommodate pets in some capacity: though this often means a separate pet-holding area, not pets in the main shelter with their owners. Check with your local emergency management agency before a disaster to know exactly what’s available in your area. Always have a backup plan (pet-friendly hotel, boarding facility, or friend) in case shelter options are limited.
How much water does my pet need in an emergency?
Dogs need approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day (a 30 lb dog needs about 30 oz, roughly 1 litre). Cats need roughly 4 oz per day at minimum. These are minimum estimates: double in hot weather or if your pet is stressed. Always pack more than you think you need.
What documents does my pet need in an emergency kit?
Vaccination records (required by most shelters and boarding facilities), microchip number and registry information, prescription medication records, your vet’s contact information, and a recent photo of you with your pet (proves ownership if you’re separated). Keep copies in a waterproof bag in your pet emergency kit and digital copies in the cloud.