09/06/2026
Is Your Pet Ready for an Emergency?
September is National Preparedness Month, making it the perfect time to ask an important question:
If you had to leave your home with your pets unexpectedly, would you have everything they need?
Severe weather, flooding, extended power outages, house fires, unexpected evacuations, and other emergencies don't always give us much warning. Here in West Virginia, we know just how quickly conditions can change.
We make emergency plans for ourselves and our families-but our pets need to be included in those plans, too.
The good news? A little preparation today can make a frightening situation much easier to manage tomorrow.
BUILD A PET EMERGENCY KIT
Ideally, keep your pet's emergency supplies together in an easy-to-grab container or bag.
Consider including:
Food & Water
Several days of your pet's regular food
Bottled water
Food and water bowls
Manual can opener if you use canned food
Rotating stored food periodically can help ensure it doesn't expire before you need it.
Medications & Medical Information
If your pet takes medication, make sure your emergency plan accounts for it.
Keep copies of important information such as:
Current medications and dosages
Vaccination records
Veterinarian contact information
Important medical conditions
Prescription information
Keeping digital copies on your phone or in secure cloud storage can provide an additional backup.
LEASHES, HARNESSES & CARRIERS
Emergencies can frighten even the calmest pet.
Every dog should have access to a secure leash and properly fitted collar or harness, and cats should have a safe carrier readily available.
Don't wait until an emergency to find the cat carrier buried in the back of the closet!
Keep essential equipment somewhere you can access quickly.
IDENTIFICATION CAN BRING THEM HOME
Emergencies are confusing. Doors get opened. Fences can be damaged. Pets can panic and run.
Make sure your pet has:
✓ An identification tag with a current phone number
✓ A registered microchip with CURRENT contact information
✓ A recent photograph
Microchips are incredibly useful-but only when the registration information leads back to you.
Take a few minutes this month to verify that your address, phone number, and emergency contacts are up to date.
TAKE THESE PHOTOS TODAY
Most of us have hundreds of pictures of our pets.
But do you have the pictures you'd actually need if they went missing?
Take clear, recent photos showing:
Your pet's entire body
Their face
Both sides of their body
Unique markings, scars, or identifying features
It's also a good idea to have a photo of you and your pet together, which may be helpful when establishing ownership.
DON'T FORGET THE LITTLE THINGS
Your emergency kit isn't only about survival supplies.
Familiar items can also provide comfort during a stressful situation.
Depending on your pet, consider packing:
Waste bags
Cat litter and a portable litter pan
Paper towels
A familiar blanket or towel
A favorite toy
Treats
Grooming supplies
Cleaning supplies
Stress affects animals, too. Something that smells like home can be incredibly comforting when everything around them has suddenly changed.
WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
This is one of the most important questions to answer before an emergency.
If you had to evacuate tonight, where could your animals go?
Identify several possibilities ahead of time, such as pet-friendly lodging, friends or relatives who could temporarily accommodate your animals, boarding facilities, or other emergency resources.
Don't assume every emergency shelter will be able to accommodate pets.
Have a Plan A-and a Plan B.
If you have multiple pets, large animals, animals requiring medication, or pets with special behavioral needs, planning ahead becomes even more important.
MAKE A PET RESCUE PLAN
What happens if an emergency occurs while you're at work or away from home?
Choose a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor who:
Knows you have pets
Knows where they are typically located
Knows where carriers and leashes are stored
Has a way to access your home if appropriate
Has your contact information
Knows where you would want your animals taken.
One conversation now could make an enormous difference later.
PREPARED, NOT SCARED
Emergency preparedness isn't about expecting something bad to happen.
It's about making sure that if something does happen, you're ready.
This September, take an hour to:
Update the microchip.
Check the ID tag.
Find the carrier.
Pack the emergency bag.
Save the veterinarian's number.
Make the plan.
Because when an emergency happens, your pets will be looking to you.
Make sure you're ready to lead them to safety.
🐾 Greenbrier Humane Society
