National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, observed each year on May 8, serves as an important reminder that emergency preparedness should include every member of the family — including our pets. At the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, we know emergencies can happen quickly and unexpectedly, whether it’s a severe storm, fire, flooding event, or other disaster. Planning ahead can make an enormous difference in keeping both people and animals safe during stressful situations.
When a disaster like a storm or a fire happens in your community, it’s often a scary time where you have to act quickly. If you have pets as part of your family, you can plan ahead for their needs, so you can also keep them safe. Here are some tips you can follow to protect your pets when an emergency happens.
Prepare in Advance:
• Make sure that your pet wears a collar with a nametag.
• Make sure that your pet has a microchip and remember to update the microchip with your full name, contact numbers, and address whenever that information changes.
• Create an emergency kit appropriate for your pet with supplies to last 1-2 weeks, including an unopened food package with enough food for a week (check expiration dates regularly), water, bowls, leashes, harnesses, muzzles, a blanket, dog waste bags for dogs or cat litter and litter pan for a cat or small mammal, a first aid kit, and a flashlight. Be sure to include medication, medical records, including proof of vaccination, and contact information for your veterinarian, pharmacy, and possible pet-friendly accommodations or boarding facilities. Think about adding a familiar toy or treats or familiar bedding to help your pet feel more comfortable.
• Train your pet to be comfortable using a pet carrier or travel crate. Practice occasionally to prepare your pet in case you need to evacuate.
• Identify safe places where your pet can stay with you or near you if you need to evacuate.
• Make a plan with a neighbor or nearby friend to evacuate your pets if you are unable to reach your home to help them.
When You Do Need to Evacuate:
• Never leave your pet in your home during an evacuation – if the home is not safe for you, it’s not safe for them either.
• Remember that your pets will likely be stressed because they are out of their familiar environment. Plan to keep pets separated, if needed, to prevent additional stress.
• Pets are typically not allowed in Anne Arundel County emergency shelters, but you can check with the Emergency Operations Center to confirm:
https://www.aacounty.org/emergency-management/disaster-response/emergency-operations-center
Accommodations are made for service animals.
Think About These Resources to Help With Finding Shelter During an Emergency:
• Hotels with pet-friendly policies – call ahead to find out if area hotels allow your type of pet or use https://www.petswelcome.com/pet-friendly-hotels to find a hotel that works.
• Area pet boarding facilities – as long as a facility is in a location safe from the disaster, your pet may be safest in a facility designed to securely hold pets. Keep contact information handy for your preferred boarding locations so you can contact them quickly.
When You Return Home:
• Make sure to check your premises for hazards caused by the disaster before letting your pets into the house or yard.
• Remember that pets may be stressed by the disruption to their routine even after they return home; give them time to decompress and adjust.
If Your Pet Escapes or Gets Lost During the Disaster:
The following local resources can help with locating your pet:
• Anne Arundel County Animal Services
(https://www.aacounty.org/animal-services/lost-found-pets)
• Baltimore County Animal Services
(https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/animal-services/lost-pets)
• Howard County Animal Control
(https://www.howardcountymd.gov/report-lost-or-missing-pet)
• Prince Georges County Animal Services
(https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/environment/animal-services/lost-and-found-pets)
• Lost and Found Pets groups for your county or surrounding counties on Facebook (for example “Lost and Found Pets of Anne Arundel County”)
At the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, we are proud to support animals and the people who love them — not only during everyday life, but also during times of crisis and uncertainty. Taking time now to prepare for emergencies can help protect your pets, reduce stress during evacuations, and improve the chances of a safe reunion if a pet becomes lost. By working together as a community and planning ahead, we can help keep both people and animals safer during emergencies near and far.
