If you had five minutes to evacuate your home, could you get every member of your family out safely — including the four-legged ones?

When an emergency happens, there may be very little time to figure out what comes with you. For pet owners, that means being ready to protect every member of the family. A little planning ahead today can make the difference between scrambling to figure out what to do with your pets and being ready to evacuate safely together.

Make an Emergency Kit for Your Pets 

Having an emergency kit for your pets is just as important as having one for yourself. Your pet emergency kit should include anything that they will need to feel comfortable if evacuation is required, including:

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape.
• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food.
• Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container.
• A first aid kit.
• Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.
  

Know Where to Go 

Planning for what to do in case of an evacuation is just as important as having a kit prepared. Remember: If it's not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for your pets, either!

Follow these tips for how to include your pets in any evacuation plans:

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency.
• If you are going to a Red Cross shelter, our shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate household pets. However, depending on the situation, pets may need to be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are always welcome in Red Cross shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers to take with you.
• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly. (Read more about our safety tips for traveling with your pet.)
• Make sure that your pet's vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet "microchipped" by your veterinarian.
  

Emergencies and Larger Animals 

Large animals like horses and livestock may require additional planning. Keep these things in mind when dealing with an emergency: 

• Consider a precautionary evacuation of your animals, especially any large or numerous animals. Waiting until the last minute could be fatal for them and dangerous for you.
  • Make sure you are signed up for local emergency alerts or have the Red Cross Emergency App to be updated on where large animal shelters are being opened for evacuees.
• Where possible, move livestock to higher ground. If using a horse or other trailer to evacuate your animals, move sooner rather than later.  

Make Pet First Aid a Priority 

Something else you can do to be prepared for an emergency is to be trained in pet first aid. The American Red Cross offers multiple ways to be prepared

Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid App, containing critical first aid information for your pets in an easy-to-access format. Search “American Red Cross” in your device’s app store or visit https://www.redcross.org/apps for more information.

You can also sign up for the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course on your desktop or tablet. It takes approximately 35 minutes to complete this course. The information in this course includes step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is choking, wounded, needs CPR or has a seizure. It also includes information on preventative care and other tips for a pet’s health.