What about my pets?

Make plans to ensure your pet's safety before, during, and after an emergency. Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting pets in an emergency.

Animals arriving at shelters as a result of a natural disaster need special care. Because they may have been exposed to contaminated water and may not have had access to safe food and fresh water, many are stressed and dehydrated and some may be injured and/or ill.

Stressed animals may or may not show signs of illness and may also exhibit behavioral disorders. Following some simple animal management and disease control guidelines can help improve animal health and reduce the risk of disease transmission and injury between animals and people.

Other Resources

• Guidelines for Animal Health & Control of Disease Transmission in Pet Shelters - American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Resources for Planning How to Protect Your Pets in an Emergency - Organizations and resources that you can contact or access to help you plan how to protect your pets
• Animals in Public Evacuation Centers