Pet Evacuation Information: A One-Page Care and Contact Sheet

By ThePreppersBlueprint.com Editorial Team

The one page you need is a single sheet, kept in your go-bag, that lists each pet’s identity and microchip details, vaccination and medication information, feeding needs, your contacts, a backup caretaker, and where you plan to take the animal. Print it and keep a copy on your phone. The CDC, the American Red Cross and the American Veterinary Medical Association all say the same core thing: if it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for your pet, and many shelters and hotels will not take animals. That makes the “where will we go” line the most important one to fill in before anything happens.

Why one page beats a pile of papers

The CDC states that leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, owners and first responders in danger, and that pets left behind are likely to be injured or lost. In a rushed departure you will not be digging through drawers for a rabies certificate. One sheet you can hand to a shelter worker, boarding facility or vet keeps the details straight when you are short on time.

Ready.gov’s general emergency kit list mentions pets in a single line, pet food and extra water, and leaves the rest to you. The CDC and AVMA fill in the details. The AVMA advises keeping the evacuation kit in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container close to an exit. The CDC adds a leash or carrier near the exit.

The one-page pet care and contact sheet

Make one sheet per household, with a short block for each animal. Put a copy in a waterproof container and keep a photo of it on your phone. Leave nothing blank if you can help it. Write “none” so a reader knows you did not skip the line.

Block 1: Who the animal is

Name, species, breed, sex, color and weight
A recent photo of the pet, ideally with you in it
Markings or features that help someone identify the animal

The CDC’s kit page lists pet descriptions and recent photographs. The Red Cross recommends current photos of you with your pet, because many pets look alike and the photo helps prevent mistaken identity. The AVMA also suggests a photo of your pet, preferably with you.

Block 2: Identification and ownership

Microchip number and the name and phone number of the microchip company
Collar and ID tag details, and whether a backup collar is in the kit
Proof of ownership or adoption records, photocopied
Your cell number and an emergency contact who lives outside your area

The CDC calls microchipping one of the best ways to be reunited with a separated pet, but only if you register the chip and keep your contact information current. The AVMA’s contact list includes an out-of-state emergency contact and its kit list includes proof of ownership and the microchip number.

Block 3: Health records and medicine

Veterinarian’s name, clinic address and phone number
Rabies certificate and vaccination dates
Medical summary, including known conditions
Each medication, with the instructions and prescription your vet gave you
Flea, tick and heartworm preventative in use

The CDC’s kit page lists photocopied veterinary records: rabies certificate, vaccinations, medical summary and prescriptions. It also lists a recent heartworm test result for dogs and FeLV/FIV test results for cats. It suggests asking your veterinarian to help you assemble them.

Block 4: Feeding and behavior

What the animal eats, how much, and how often
Medical conditions a caretaker needs to know about
Behavior notes for a stranger: bites when frightened, hides, escapes, does not tolerate other animals
Where the pet tends to hide at home

The Red Cross recommends including feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and your vet’s name and number in case your pet has to be fostered or boarded. The CDC advises knowing where your pet hides when stressed, and notes that frightened animals in shelters are more likely to bite or scratch.

Block 5: People to call

Backup caretaker: name, phone, and whether they have a key
Your local emergency management office, animal control and animal shelter
Your veterinarian, plus an alternate vet and a boarding facility farther away
Phone numbers for family or friends you may be staying with

The CDC recommends a buddy system: a trusted neighbor who can check on your animals and evacuate them if you are not home. The AVMA advises telling that person where your evacuation kit is. It also suggests listing an alternate veterinarian and a boarding facility 30 to 90 miles away, and says to prepare the contact list now, before a disaster. The AVMA also offers downloadable emergency contact cards.

Block 6: Where you will go

A friend’s or relative’s home outside the evacuation area, with phone number
A pet-friendly hotel along your route, with phone number
A boarding facility or animal hospital, with phone number
Your evacuation route and an alternate

These are the options the CDC and Red Cross name. No source ranks them, so order them by what fits your situation. The AVMA advises pre-arranging an evacuation site outside the affected area and practicing the evacuation with all pets and supplies.

Medicine and supplies: what the sources say and where they differ

The CDC’s kit page lists a 2-week supply of any medications, written medication instructions, and a 1-month supply of flea, tick and heartworm preventative. The AVMA also lists a two-week supply of medicine. The AVMA adds that food and medicine must be rotated and replaced so they do not expire.

The sources do not agree on food and water. The CDC lists 2 weeks of each. The AVMA lists 3 to 7 days of food and at least 7 days of water. No source gives one number for every household. Choose an amount that fits your plan, and ask your veterinarian.

Whether an extra supply of a particular drug is possible, how to store it, and what to do for a pet on a special diet are questions for your veterinarian, not for this page. If a prescription needs planning, ask your vet before an emergency.

The AVMA also suggests including a signed veterinary medical treatment authorization in your kit so your vet can treat your pet while you are away. Ask your vet what form they accept.

Shelter rules: what is known and what is not

Known. The CDC says pets may not be allowed in local shelters unless they are service animals, and that many evacuation centers, including Red Cross centers, do not accept pets. The Red Cross says hotels and shelters may not accept animals other than service animals. It also says its shelter workers will do all they can to accommodate household pets, though pets may be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are always welcome in Red Cross shelters.

Where pets are accepted, expect rules. The CDC says owners of dogs, cats and ferrets should provide proof of rabies vaccination when entering an evacuation center. The Red Cross says many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations. The CDC recommends keeping pets caged or on a leash, away from food preparation and eating areas, and cleaning litter boxes at least every 24 hours.

Not known in advance. No single national rule tells you what your local shelter will do. The Red Cross says arrangements depend on the situation. For hotels, it advises asking whether no-pet policies can be waived in an emergency, and calling ahead for reservations if you may need to leave. Ask your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control what to expect. Policies can change, so confirm them before you need them.

Your next practical decision

Do this in order. First, contact your local emergency management office and ask whether they offer accommodations for owners and pets, as the CDC suggests. Second, write down at least two places your pet can stay in Block 6. Third, get your vet records copied and check the microchip registration. Fourth, put the sheet in the kit and tell your backup caretaker where it is.

Safety limits

This page is general educational information. It is not veterinary, medical or legal advice, and it does not diagnose any animal or recommend any treatment. Your veterinarian decides what your pet needs. Any signed authorization or caretaker letter is between you, your vet and that person, and requirements vary, so ask your vet or a lawyer if you are unsure. Frightened or injured animals can bite. The CDC advises cleaning any bite or scratch with soap and water right away and talking to a healthcare provider. If a dog, cat or ferret bites you in an evacuation center, see a doctor immediately to determine whether you need a rabies vaccination. Follow the instructions of local officials.