Got Questions?
Q: Is there a good guide for making a pet emergency plan?
A: YES, the Pet Disaster Prep workbook includes everything you need.
Q. My horses are at a boarding stable. How can I help them make an evacuation plan?
A: Equine owners should be pro-active in making sure they know how the barn manager plans to care for their animals in case of evacuation or shelter-in-place situations.
We have 2 great tools to help:
Q: How do I know when I should evacuate?
A: When you feel unsafe due to weather forecasts, conditions around you or nearby, and, absolutely if you receive an evacuation warning.
Q. At what point should I evacuate my animals in case of wildfire?
A. Wildfires move fast and can change direction in an instant. If you and/or your critters are in a high-risk area, and there’s a Fire Weather Watch or Warning, you should be READY TO GO.
If there’s a Red Flag, you should be on the road to a safe destination. If you received an Evacuation Warning, leave immediately. If you receive an Evacuation Order, it may be too late to safely evacuate some or all of your animals. If so, you may need to put your shelter-in-place plan in action. The workbook links provided above include checklists for shelter-in-place planning as well as evacuation.
Q. If I can’t evacuate my animals, what can I do to help them?
A. For pets, equines and companion livestock in a wildfire or other natural disaster, you can usually request help for animals sheltering-in-place in evacuated zones by contacting local Animal Services. There may be a special Animal Helpline or email contact portal set up for Animal Assistance Requests.
Stay tuned to local emergency alerts for information. Call-2-1-1 may also have info about resources for pets and large animals. Also, in some areas, the county or State Department of Agriculture may be managing the animal disaster response.
Learning in advance what resources might be available can save critical time and reduce stress. Keep the info on your Emergency Evacuation Plan (EAP).
Q. How can I find out if there is a local animal evacuation group in my area?
A. You can find out if your county or region has a Community Animal Response Team (CART) by contacting your local Animal Control or Animal Services agency.
CARTs and other types of organizations are the volunteer groups and teams authorized by the Department of Emergency Management to assist Animal Services during declared emergencies.
Q. If I have a go-bag, why do I need an Animal Emergency Plan?
A. Having go-bags for you and your animals is good place to start, but it’s just one piece of a strong action plan, which should include:
- Plans for different kinds of emergencies.
- A list of reliable helpers who can assist with transport or care for your animals if you’re not able.
- A list of destinations where you and your animals can be safe.
- A plan and supplies for sheltering-in-place.
- And contacts for all of the above.
Q. Where can I take my animals?
A: The best plan is to develop a list of places where you and your animals will be safe and comfortable. For example, Pet-friendly hotels, Airbnb’s, campgrounds, and friends are all good options.
Do your homework to make sure your resources are up-to-date and will accept the pet species you have. “Pet-friendly” may not always include cats, or reptiles.
Q. What are the 3 most important things I can do to keep my animals safer in a disaster?
A. PRACTICE YOUR PLAN! Practice evacuating. Practice with your “Animal Emergency Buddies” and with each other’s animals. Practice loading in challenging weather and at nighttime. Make practice a regular thing.
Make your home as fire and earthquake-safe as possible. Safer homes and neighborhoods are safer for animals as well as humans.
Be the calm leader of your pack, herd, and neighborhood.
Q. Is there a good “quickie” checklist for animal Evac prep?
A. Here are two:
Q. I don’t have a personal emergency plan. Where can I get help?
Q. I’m a caregiver for a person with pets but I don’t know what to do in an emergency. What can I do?
A. Make a written plan that includes an Animal Emergency Plan and Advance Care Directive, included in all our workbooks.
Q. I want to make an Animal Emergency Plan but don’t know where to start.
A. We’ve got your back!! If you have time right now to make a detailed plan here is an important 1-page Animal Emergency Plan to fill out, keep with your important documents, share with animal emergency helpers, caregivers, and any anyone else who might be part of your animal safety net.
Q. I have a small property with donkeys and a small flock of chickens. How can I plan for them?
A. Here’s an Animal Disaster Action Planning Guide for people with a few acres or a big backyard and equines, poultry, other livestock, and of course, a few pets.
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