Pet Emergency Evacuation Plans for Shelters

Animal shelters and rescue organizations must be ready to respond in emergencies. This guide covers how to evacuate pets safely, tips for first-aid kits, and strategies for emergency care of dogs, cats, and small mammals.

Why Animal Shelter Disaster Preparedness Matters

Without a plan, shelters risk chaos and harm to staff, volunteers, and animals. Emergency protocols help ensure safe, orderly responses and minimize harm.

While not federally required, some jurisdictions mandate shelters maintain evacuation plans. Check local laws to ensure compliance.

Some emergencies (e.g., tornadoes, wildfires, flooding, gas leaks, active shooters) require sheltering in place; others require evacuation. Contact your county’s emergency manager or public health department to identify relevant risks.

Recent examples of emergency evacuations:

These organizations protected animals through preparation and planning.

Creating an Evacuation Plan for Shelter Pets and Staff

A detailed plan is essential. Make it accessible in both digital and physical formats, with separate plans for each building and guidance for fosters.

Regularly review, practice, and update your plan. Key elements include:

Defined Roles

Contact Plan

Include emergency services numbers and a phone tree covering:

Some vendors may be willing to donate supplies during a crisis.

Maps

Include:

Emergency Shelter Protocols

Planning for Animal Relocation

Secure agreements in advance with:

Emergency Checklist for Animal Shelters

Inventory your supplies regularly to identify gaps. Include:

Emergency Transport of Shelter Animal Tips

Use carriers or temporary crates in vans/trailers. If needed, ask partner orgs for help with transport or equipment.

Use materials to safely move fearful or injured animals, like muzzles or slip leads. For non-imminent threats, vets may prescribe calming meds.

Color-coded systems (e.g., red tape for aggression, blue for medical needs) can aid rapid identification.

Keep species, temperament, and medical needs in mind:

Pet Emergency First-Aid Kit

Dogs, Cats, and Small Mammals:

Keep small mammal kits separate from dog/cat kits. Follow DEA regulations for controlled substances.

Managing Animal Stress During Evacuations

Stress is common in emergencies. Watch for these species-specific signs:

Dogs

Cats

Small Mammals

Calming tools may include:

Ensure temperature control—some animals (especially brachycephalic breeds or small mammals) are heat-sensitive.

Match pets to appropriate caregivers and housing post-evacuation. For example, an anxious dog may fare better in a foster home than a noisy boarding kennel.

Communication During Emergencies

Use your phone tree to alert key contacts. On-site, use walkie-talkies for coordination.

Save supervisor and coordinator contacts to mobile devices in advance.

Notify the public about closures via website, social media, and news outlets. Be transparent when possible. Assign all public-facing updates to your designated media liaison to ensure consistency.

Solicit donations to support recovery and animal care needs.

Recovery After the Emergency

Before returning, your building must be inspected for safety and cleaned. Some structures may require repairs or rebuilding.

Stagger returns: Schedule intake appointments rather than accepting all animals at once. Reassess medical and emotional health post-return.

Thank your staff, volunteers, fosters, and donors. Let donors know how their support helped—and include a link for continued donations.

Debrief with your leadership team and update the emergency plan based on lessons learned.

Helpful Resources

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