Hurricane Season 2024 ─ Include Pets in Your Emergency Plans

History shows that people will risk their lives for their family pets during disasters by either not evacuating or trying to rescue them. As hurricane season approaches, the American Red Cross urges pet owners to include their furry friends in their emergency planning.

CREATE A PET EMERGENCY PLAN  There are several key things to do before disaster strikes. Most importantly, plan to take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. If it’s not safe for you to stay, it’s not safe for your pets to stay.

• As part of your plan, know which hotels outside your immediate area will accept you and your pets. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency. 
• Identify which friends, relatives, animal boarding facilities and veterinarians can care for your pets in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers to have on hand. 
• Make sure your pets are wearing secure collars with up-to-date identification. 

Create a pet emergency kit ─ place the following items in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container:

• 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.

PETS IN RED CROSS SHELTERS We understand the important emotional role that pets play in the lives of their owners and encourage people to develop emergency preparedness plans for themselves and their pets.

In most communities, the Red Cross works with animal rescue groups to ensure that shelter residents and others in the community have a place to take their pets. When possible, Red Cross shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate domesticated pets comfortably. 

Red Cross shelters are open to everyone, which means they must accommodate a wide range of people. Depending on the situation, domesticated pets may need to be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups. Some of these reasons include local regulations, agreements with individual shelter facilities, space constraints, and health or hygiene concerns.

Service animals are always welcome in Red Cross emergency shelters and are not considered pets.