Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (Aug. 26, 2026) — Dogs share our homes, our routines and, when disaster strikes, our evacuations. This National Dog Day, Wednesday, Aug. 26, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is asking pet owners to make sure their dogs are ready to evacuate and have food, medications, identification and other essentials ready to go.
Wildfires, floods, home fires and other emergencies can force families to leave quickly, sometimes with only minutes to prepare. Knowing where pets will go, how they will get there and what they will need can make an evacuation safer and less stressful for the entire family.
“During an evacuation, pets depend entirely on their families to get them to safety,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “Planning ahead means you aren’t searching for a carrier, gathering medications or figuring out where your dog can stay while you’re also trying to get your family out the door.”
Have a Plan for Your Pets
Every household emergency plan should include pets. If local officials call for an evacuation, pets should leave too. If it is not safe for people to stay, it is not safe for pets.
Families should plan where they can take their pets during an evacuation and identify several options, including pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, veterinarians and friends or family outside the area. Having more than one option can help if an evacuation affects a large area or lasts several days.
Include pets in evacuation drills so everyone in the family knows how to get them out of the home quickly and safely. Identify a trusted neighbor, friend or relative who can evacuate pets if no one is home during an emergency.
Pack Emergency Supplies for Dogs
Keep a pet emergency kit with the family’s emergency supplies so it is ready to grab during an evacuation. Pack enough supplies for several days and include:
Keep the kit somewhere easy to reach and check it regularly. Replace expired food and medications and update identification and veterinary information as needed.
Know What to Do in a Pet Emergency
The free American Red Cross Pet First Aid App provides step-by-step guidance for common pet emergencies, including choking, bleeding, seizures and breathing problems. The app also includes information about emergency preparedness, veterinary care and pet-friendly hotels.
The Pet First Aid App is available by texting GETPET to 90999, visiting redcross.org/apps or searching for American Red Cross in app stores.
The Red Cross also offers an online Cat and Dog First Aid course that takes about 30 minutes to complete. The course covers how to check a pet’s vital signs and what to do if an animal is choking, wounded, having a seizure or needs CPR. More information is available at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid.
For more information about preparing pets for emergencies, visit redcross.org/pets.
About National Dog Day
National Dog Day is observed each year on Aug. 26 to recognize dogs of all breeds and raise awareness about dogs in need of adoption. Founded in 2004, the day also honors family pets, service dogs, working dogs and the many ways dogs enrich people’s lives.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
