Are Your Pets in Your Emergency Plan?
June is Pet Preparedness Month, and Southern Marin Fire District reminds residents that emergency planning should include every member of the household, including pets.
Southern Marin is known to be a pet-loving community, and for many residents, pets are family. Disasters and emergencies can happen quickly. Whether you are asked to evacuate due to wildfire, flooding, severe weather, or another local emergency, having a plan in place for your pets can reduce stress and help keep everyone safe.
Start by identifying where you can take your pets if you need to evacuate. Not all public shelters or hotels allow animals, so it is important to know pet-friendly options ahead of time. Consider asking friends, family, or neighbors to be part of a “buddy system” in case you are away from home or unable to evacuate your pets during an emergency.
Pet owners should also make sure their animals are microchipped and wearing current ID tags. Keep your contact information up to date, and consider listing an emergency contact outside of the immediate area.
A pet emergency kit should include the basics your pet may need for several days, including food, water, medications, a leash or harness, sanitation supplies, copies of vaccination records, and a sturdy carrier or crate. Keep a current photo of you and your pet together to help document ownership if you become separated.
To help reduce stress during an evacuation, practice getting your pet into a carrier or vehicle before an emergency happens. Keep carriers in familiar areas, add a favorite blanket or toy, and take note of where your pet may hide when frightened.
When it is time to evacuate, do not leave pets behind. Plan ahead so everyone in your household can get out safely — paws and all.
For more pet preparedness tips, visit: ready.gov/pets
Pet Preparedness Checklist
Before an emergency, take time to prepare your pets and supplies:
- Pack a pet go-bag with food, water, bowls, medications, leash, harness, carrier, waste bags, litter, and comfort items.
- Keep copies of vaccination records, microchip information, licenses, and vet contact information.
- Make sure pets wear current ID tags and that microchip contact information is up to date.
- Keep a current photo of you and your pet together in case you become separated.
- Identify pet-friendly hotels, shelters, or family and friends who can help during an evacuation.
- Practice loading pets into carriers and vehicles before an emergency.
- Know where your pet may hide when frightened and plan how to safely retrieve them.
- Never leave pets behind if you are ordered to evacuate.
Download Ready Marin Ready Pets Guide
Marin County Resources
