Emergencies don’t wait for the right moment—and when they happen, pets rely entirely on us to keep them safe. June is National Pet Preparedness Month, a timely reminder to make sure your emergency plans fully include your pets.
In communities like Bellingham and across the Pacific Northwest, risks such as wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, and severe storms are real. Being prepared ahead of time can make all the difference in protecting your pet and keeping your family together.
Why Emergency Planning for Pets Matters
From wildfire smoke in summer to winter storms and even the potential for earthquakes along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the Pacific Northwest presents unique challenges. Evacuations can happen quickly, and not all emergency shelters accept pets.
When there’s no plan in place, pets can become separated, injured, or left behind in the chaos. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pet—never leave them behind, even temporarily.
Planning ahead helps ensure your pet can travel with you safely, reduces panic during an emergency, and improves the chances of a quick reunion if you are separated. Preparedness isn’t just about reacting—it’s about staying one step ahead.
Create a Plan That Works for You and Your Pet
A clear, practiced plan can save valuable time when it matters most.
Here’s how to get started:
- Assign responsibilities: Make sure everyone in your household knows who is responsible for each pet and their supplies.
- Map out safe locations: Identify pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, or friends and family outside your immediate area.
- Plan for “away-from-home” scenarios: Arrange for a trusted neighbor or nearby contact who has a key, knows your pet’s routine, and can quickly access your home if you’re not there.
- Use visible alerts: Place a pet rescue sticker on your home to notify first responders that animals are inside.
- Keep copies of your plan: Store a printed version in your emergency kit and share it with pet sitters or caregivers.
- Act early: Pet-friendly evacuation shelters and accommodations can fill quickly—leaving early gives you more options and keeps your pet safer.
Practicing your plan—even briefly—can help reduce confusion and make evacuation smoother for both you and your pet.
Build a Pet Emergency Kit
Having a dedicated emergency kit for your pet ensures you’re ready to move quickly.
Your kit should include:
- Food and water: At least 3–7 days’ supply, along with portable bowls.
- Medications and medical records: A two-week supply, plus copies of prescriptions and vaccination history.
- Identification: Collar with tags, microchip details, and current contact information.
- Leash, harness, and carrier: Sturdy, secure, and labeled.
- Sanitation supplies: Waste bags, litter, disposable trays, and cleaning wipes.
- First aid essentials: Pet-safe bandages, antiseptic, gloves, and basic supplies.
- Comfort items: Toys, bedding, or items that smell like home.
- Recent photos: Include pictures of your pet and you together to help with identification.
It’s also important to keep your pet’s microchip registration up to date and ensure ID tags reflect your current contact information—these are some of the most effective tools for being reunited if you’re separated.
In addition, include a list of local animal shelters, animal control, and veterinary clinics in your kit so you know exactly where to look or who to contact if your pet goes missing during an emergency.
Store your kit in a waterproof container and review it regularly to keep contents up to date.
Preparing for Evacuation and Travel
Evacuations can be stressful, especially for pets who aren’t used to travel. Preparation helps ease that stress.
Steps you can take now:
- Help your pet get comfortable with carriers and car rides.
- Keep important documents in an easy-to-access location.
- Research pet-friendly accommodations along potential evacuation routes.
- Practice quick departures so your pet becomes familiar with the routine.
- Bring pets indoors early when a threat is developing so they are easy to locate and transport quickly.
It’s also a good idea to ensure your pet’s microchip information is current and that collars and tags are always up to date—this is one of the most reliable ways to help ensure a safe reunion.
Stay Alert and Connected
In rapidly changing situations, reliable information is essential.
Be prepared by:
- Signing up for local emergency alerts in your area.
- Following county and state emergency management agencies.
- Keeping a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available.
- Monitoring trusted news and official updates.
Having multiple ways to receive information ensures you can act quickly, even during power outages or service disruptions.
After the Emergency: Keeping Your Pet Safe
The risk doesn’t always end when the immediate danger passes. Pets can become disoriented after an emergency due to unfamiliar surroundings, smells, and changes in routine.
- Keep pets leashed or in carriers when outside.
- Watch for signs of stress such as hiding, pacing, or changes in appetite.
- Reintroduce normal routines gradually to help them adjust.
- Check your home and yard for hazards before allowing pets to roam freely.
Taking these precautions can help prevent pets from becoming lost or injured in the aftermath.
Final Thoughts
Emergencies are unpredictable—but preparation gives you confidence and control. Including your pet in your emergency planning ensures they’re protected, reduces stress, and helps keep your family together when it matters most.
This June, take a few simple but important steps:
- Review your emergency plan.
- Update your pet’s emergency kit.
- Practice your evacuation routine.
Your pet depends on you—and being prepared is one of the best ways to keep them safe.
Additional Resources
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Ready.gov – Pets and Animals
- Washington State Emergency Management Division
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Emergency Preparedness
Why is emergency preparedness important for pets?
Emergency preparedness helps protect pets during events such as wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, severe storms, and other emergencies. Having a plan in place can reduce panic, improve safety, and help keep pets with their families during evacuations.
What is National Pet Preparedness Month?
National Pet Preparedness Month takes place in June and serves as a reminder for pet owners to review emergency plans, update supplies, and ensure their pets are included in disaster preparedness efforts.
Should I evacuate with my pet during an emergency?
Yes. If it is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pet. Pets should never be left behind during an emergency, even temporarily.
What types of emergencies should pet owners prepare for in the Pacific Northwest?
The blog highlights several risks in the Pacific Northwest, including wildfires, wildfire smoke, flooding, severe storms, winter storms, and potential earthquakes along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
What should be included in a pet emergency plan?
A pet emergency plan should identify who is responsible for each pet, outline evacuation destinations, include arrangements for care if you are away from home, and provide instructions that can be shared with caregivers or pet sitters.
What are pet rescue stickers?
Pet rescue stickers are visible alerts placed on a home to notify first responders that animals are inside and may need assistance during an emergency.
What should be included in a pet emergency kit?
A pet emergency kit should include food, water, medications, medical records, identification information, a leash, harness, carrier, sanitation supplies, first aid essentials, comfort items, and recent photos of both the pet and owner.
How much food and water should I keep in a pet emergency kit?
The blog recommends keeping at least three to seven days’ worth of food and water, along with portable bowls.
How much medication should I pack for my pet in an emergency?
Pet owners should include a two-week supply of medications, along with copies of prescriptions and vaccination records.
Why is a microchip important during an emergency?
Up-to-date microchip registration and current identification tags are among the most effective tools for reuniting pets with their owners if they become separated during an emergency.
What documents should I keep for my pet during an evacuation?
Important documents include medical records, vaccination history, prescriptions, microchip information, identification details, and recent photos of your pet.
How can I prepare my pet for evacuation?
Pets can be prepared for evacuation by becoming familiar with carriers and car rides, practicing quick departures, and keeping important documents easily accessible.
When should I bring my pet indoors during a developing emergency?
Pets should be brought indoors early when a threat is developing so they can be located and transported quickly if evacuation becomes necessary.
What should I do if I am not home during an emergency?
The blog recommends arranging for a trusted neighbor or nearby contact who has a key, understands your pet’s routine, and can access your home if needed.
How can I find pet-friendly places during an evacuation?
Pet owners should identify pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, and trusted friends or family members outside their immediate area before an emergency occurs.
Why is it important to leave early during an evacuation?
Leaving early can provide more options because pet-friendly shelters and accommodations may fill quickly during emergencies.
How can I stay informed during an emergency?
The blog recommends signing up for local emergency alerts, following county and state emergency management agencies, monitoring trusted news sources, and keeping a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available.
What should I do after an emergency to keep my pet safe?
After an emergency, pets should be kept on a leash or in a carrier when outdoors, monitored for signs of stress, gradually returned to their normal routines, and protected from hazards that may be present around the home or yard.
What signs of stress should I watch for in my pet after an emergency?
The blog identifies hiding, pacing, and changes in appetite as potential signs of stress following an emergency.
How often should I update my pet emergency kit?
Pet emergency kits should be reviewed regularly to ensure supplies, identification information, medications, and contact details remain current.
