Preparation is key! 

Pet preparedness is important for making sure your furry (or feathered, scaled, etc.) family members stay safe in the event of a disaster or evacuation situation.

 Before an Emergency

• Practice evacuating with your pet (loading into a carrier, going to the car).
• Assign family members specific tasks (who grabs the pet, who handles supplies).
• Know multiple routes out of your area.

     Identify:

• Pet-friendly shelters (some emergency shelters don’t accept pets).
• Hotels/motels that allow pets.
• Friends/family outside your area who could take in you and your pet.
• Boarding facilities/vets that offer emergency pet sheltering.

During an Emergency

• Don’t leave pets behind if you evacuate!
• Keep pets in carriers or on leashes.
• Monitor pets closely for stress or injury.
• Stay updated on local emergency alerts.

Pet Go-Kits

Emergency pet supply checklist:

Important Documents

• Vaccination records.
• Rabies tag or certificate.
• Recent photos of your pet.
• Microchip numbers.
• Remember to register your microchip!!

Water, Food, Medications:

• Two-week supply of food and water for each pet.
• Portable bowls.
• Feeding instructions.
• Two-week supply of medication, if applicable, with instructions.

Additional Supplies:

• Pet carriers/portable or collapsible crates (one per pet).
• Leashes, collars, harnesses, muzzles (emergencies are stressful, which can lead to atypical behavior and increased  reactivity).
• Litter box/litter, bags for cleaning & disposal.
• Toys, blankets, beds.
• Potty bags.
• Pet first aid kit.
• Comfort items (toys, blankets, etc).

General Safety & Preparedness:

• Assign family members specific tasks (who grabs the pet, who handles supplies)
• Make sure your pets have ID tags on their collars with contact information.
• Plan and practice multiple evacuation routes in your area.
• Prepare for extreme weather- store blankets, jackets, and plenty of water for your pets. 

After an Emergency

• Let pets re-adjust slowly.
• Check your home and yard for hazards before letting them roam.
• Watch for behavior changes due to stress or trauma.
• Take them to a vet if needed.

** Please refer to the Thurston County Emergency Management website and official social media channels for current information on which shelters are operational during emergencies, as not all facilities may be open.