General Emergency Preparedness
for Companion Animals

Your emergency preparedness plan for your animal should include:

• Remembering your pets when you are stocking your home pantry.
• Making sure you have any appropriate medicine on hand, and that you are properly storing the medicine if there are requirements for ensuring the medicine will remain effective.
• Making a pact with friends or family members for the care of your pets in the event you become sick, require quarantine, or are hospitalized.
• Making sure your animals are always wearing proper identification. It is never a good idea to allow companion animals to roam freely, but especially during this crisis, make sure they are contained.

A Plan for The Future

In the long run, whether you are navigating a public health emergency or not, it is always wise to make provisions for your companion animals because of the possibility that they could outlive you. There are many resources available online to help you develop a plan. Here are some of the most frequently recommended steps to take:

1. Realize that in the eyes of the law, your animals are considered “property.” As such, they will be treated like any other of your belongings if you haven’t specifically provided for them in your will.
2. Include provisions for the care of your animals in your will or trust.
3. Speak with family and friends now to determine who would be willing to provide a loving home for your animals.
4. Some shelters will promise to find your animal a forever home if you leave a gift to the shelter.
5. In addition to naming the caretaker for your animal, it’s often a good practice to leave a specific gift to the caretaker that is meant to cover veterinary, food, and other costs related to the animal’s care for the remainder of their life.

For detailed information, sample language for your will, and more, visit this resource on Petfinder.com.

For more information on disaster preparedness, including how to keep large animals safe, how to make an emergency kit for your animals, and more, visit our website.