Emergency Safety Tips
Evacuation practice and carrier readiness
The day you need to leave quickly is the worst day to discover that a carrier does not fit, cannot be found, or that a pet refuses to go in. A short practice run solves most of it.
Carrier basics
- Ideally have a sturdy, correctly sized carrier or a secure transport method for every pet.
- Keep carriers accessible rather than buried in storage.
- Label each carrier with the pet's name and your current contact information.
Practice calmly
- Practice calmly getting each pet into its carrier.
- Practice loading all pets and carriers into the vehicle.
- Confirm that every carrier physically fits in the vehicle before an emergency.
- Practice with leashes, harnesses, towels, treats, and any other handling supplies the pet may require.
Assign people
- Identify who handles each pet during an evacuation.
- Identify a backup handler in case someone is away or unable to help.
Safety first
- Never endanger a person by forcing an unsafe practice session with a frightened or aggressive animal.
- Stop and rethink the approach if a pet becomes highly stressed.
Review periodically
- Review the plan on a regular schedule.
- Review again after changing pets, vehicles, carriers, or household helpers.
This is general preparedness guidance only and is not veterinary or behavioral treatment advice.
Official resources
Explore these official resources for additional tools and guidance, including FEMA pet evacuation checklists and downloadable preparedness materials, plus Red Cross pet disaster preparedness information.
External resources open in a new tab. Linking does not imply endorsement, partnership, sponsorship, or affiliation.