Resources : Pet Preparedness Plan

Thank you for stepping up to be an active force for homeless pets in your community. If you haven’t already done so, join the 2025 Action Team and become part of an exclusive group of people dedicated to saving the lives of animals.

The following are simple but important steps Action Team members can take to ensure the health and safety of their own pets and their neighbors’ pets in the case of an emergency. After you've created a plan for your furry friends, please download and print copies to share with your neighbors, family and friends. Your actions will help keep more pets safe through this crisis!

Developing your plan

Download pet preparedness plan template and share with your neighbors, family and friends. You can email the PDFs or print and share.

First and foremost, you’ll want to identify an emergency contact or two.

Ideally, these will be people who are local — neighbors if possible — that can be activated quickly to help provide access to your home and pet(s).

If you have a trusted relative who is not local but can make decisions on your behalf, ensure that they are connected with someone local who will be able to help with any immediate needs (e.g., picking up a key to your home or dropping off pet food).

You want to make it as easy as possible for someone else to care for your pet(s) if it becomes necessary.

Complete this checklist to prepare:

• Identify a trusted friend or neighbor to care for your pet(s) if members of your household become ill or are hospitalized, compile their contact info and keep it accessible
• Prepare a two-week supply of pet food, medications, and pet care supplies (e.g., cat litter, carrier, enrichment toys, etc.) — have as much of this packed and ready as possible
• Include copies of your pet’s vaccination records, medication schedule, and veterinarian contact information
• Include detailed care instructions, e.g., your pet’s diet, walking routines and any important behavioral notes
• Ensure your pet’s collar tag and microchip information is up to date. To register a microchip, visit 24PetWatch or the Found Animals registry. For registered chips, address info / personal details can be updated at MyPethealth.com.
• Print and fill out “Animals Inside” cards to put on your doors/windows to alert first responders that you have pet(s) in your home needing assistance in case of emergency.
• Give the Emergency Pet Authorization form to your emergency contact in case you need the support of a local agency (e.g. animal care and control). This form authorizes them to access your home and take temporary custody of your animals if circumstances come up that make your emergency contacts unable to care for your animals.