Pet Disaster Preparedness Guide + Pet Go Bag Checklist
By Dr. Adam Cooner, DVM, Veterinarian & Co-owner, Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital – Hoover, Alabama
Published: November 2026 | Last reviewed: November 2026
Short Answer for Pet Emergency Preparedness: If you have to leave, take your pets with you. Plan now for where they will stay (most public shelters accept only service animals), keep a packed pet go-bag with at least 7 days of food and water and a 2-week supply of medication. Microchip every pet and leave as early as you safely can. During major disasters, Alabama opens state emergency animal shelters that accept all species.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, house or wildland fires, and chemical spills all can force Alabama families out of their homes, often with very little warning – which is why we have prepared this pet disaster preparedness guide and pet go bag checklist.
As your veterinary team, we see the same preventable problems after every emergency or natural disaster: lost pets with no ID, missed medication doses, heat stress in cars, and families who stayed in danger because they had nowhere to take their animals.
The good news is that having a pet evacuation plan and knowing what to put in a pet go bag helps pet owners be ready to leave fast, in the event of a disaster. This evacuation plan for pets walks you through exactly what to do to keep your pets safe, fed & medicated if you have to temporarily evacuate your residence.
Why Every Pet Owner Needs A Disaster Plan For Pets
A pet evacuation plan protects people as well as animals. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a Fritz Institute survey found that 44% of people who did not evacuate stayed at least partly because they would not leave their pets behind. Many of those animals were lost anyway: the Louisiana SPCA estimates at least 88,700 pets went unaccounted for.
In 2006 Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, which requires state and local emergency plans to account for household pets and service animals. Official guidance changed from “leave your pets” to “if you evacuate, take your pets with you.”
That law does not mean every shelter accepts pets. In Alabama, pet space at public shelters is limited, so your own plan is still the most reliable one.
Emergencies Alabama Pet Owners May Encounter
Different emergencies give you different amounts of time. Your plan should cover both “leave right now” and “shelter in place.”
| Emergency | Typical Warning | What It Means For Your Pets |
|---|---|---|
| House fire | Seconds to minutes | Know where each pet hides; keep leashes and carriers near the exit; use a “Pets Inside” sticker so firefighters know to look |
| Tornado | Minutes (tornado watch: hours) | Usually shelter in place: bring pets into your safe room as soon as a watch is issued, crated or leashed |
| Flash flood | Minutes to hours | Move pets to higher ground early; never let them wade or drink floodwater |
| Chemical spill or gas leak | Minutes to hours | May mean shelter in place with windows sealed, or a fast evacuation order; keep pets indoors |
| Hurricane or tropical storm | Days | Time to refill meds, book lodging and leave early; inland counties fill with evacuees |
| Extended power outage or heat | Hours to days | Heat is dangerous for pets; plan a cool place to go and extra water |
Pet Evacuation Tips: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare now, before any emergency
- Microchip every pet and register the chip. Confirm the registry has your current cell number and an out-of-area contact. Collars come off; chips don’t.
- Keep vaccines current. Boarding facilities, veterinary clinics and most pet-friendly hotels require proof of rabies and core vaccines. Ask us for a printed and digital copy of your pet’s vaccine records.
- Determine at least two places to go if evacuation is needed. Plan in advance to evacuate to a residence of a friend or relative outside your area, a pet-friendly hotel, or place your pets in a boarding facility in an area that is safe. Obtain approval in advance to evacuate to a friend or relative’s home. For boarding, target a boarding facility that’s likely to be away from natural disasters and review their pet policies once a year.
- Set up a buddy system for evacuating pets. Arrange a mutual aid agreement with a neighbor or friend to get your pets out if you are at work or away when an emergency hits. Offer them the same assistance. Trade keys and show them where the pet go bag is located in the house.
- Crate-train your pets. A pet that already rests calmly in its carrier travels, boards, and shelters with far less stress.
- Pack the go-bag. (See the checklist below) and store it in a convenient location such as a coat closet where it can be quickly grabbed if an evacuation is necessary. A pet go bag is of no use if it’s stored somewhere in a basement, crawlspace, or other location where you can’t quickly find it.
- Pre-determine a safe room for tornadoes. Target an interior, windowless room on the lowest floor (a basement or storm shelter is best) where you, your pets, and carriers fit.
- Practice and time gathering pets to evacuate. Time how long it takes to load every pet and the kit. Cats hide when they sense stress, so know their hiding spots.
- Post a “Pets Inside” sticker on your front door or window listing the number and type of pets.
- Double check the readability of your pet’s ID tags. Over time, pet ID tags wear out, obscuring important contact information such as an address or phone number. As part of your emergency preparedness for pets initiative, check your pet’s ID tags. If they are old, worn, and hard to read, get new pet ID tags made for them.
Step 2: Actions To Take When A Natural Disaster Is Imminent
- Bring all pets indoors. Bring pets inside at the first sign of severe weather or a severe weather watch and keep them there. Animals sense danger and may bolt if they are left outside.
- Confine cats to one room. When cats are confined to one room, it’s faster and easier to catch them if you have to evacuate.
- Check the go-bag. Ensure the pet go bag has fresh food and water, medications, and vaccine and medical records.
- Maintain a 2-week supply of pet prescriptions. If you know a big storm is coming, contact your veterinarian with as much notice as possible for a prescription refill from the veterinary hospital. If you order prescriptions online, ensure you always have 2-week supply of your pet’s medications. Of note, when big storms are forecasted, the team handling prescriptions at veterinary hospitals can become backlogged due to a high volume of prescription refills.
- Keep your phone charged & get a portable solar phone charger. Keeping your phone charged is wise for many reasons. But if the power’s out and you need access to emergency alerts, a portable, solar phone charger will help you stay up to date on developing conditions related to tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and floods.
Step 3: Actions To Take If You Have To Evacuate
- Leave early and leave together. If you have pets, don’t wait for a mandatory order. Evacuating earlier means lighter traffic, cooler cars and more lodging options away from the disaster area.
- Never leave a pet tied or chained outside while you leave. Tethered animals cannot escape fire, wind or water.
- Put a collar with ID on every pet. Even indoor cats should have a collar with ID tags.
- In a fire, get people out first. Grab pets only if it is safe; never go back into a burning building. Tell firefighters which pets are inside and where they hide.
Step 4: Actions To Take If You Have To Shelter In Place
- Pets go into the safe room with the people. Bring pets into your safe room with you, crated or leashed, along with the go-bag.
- Close carriers to prevent flying debris. Keep carriers closed during tornado warnings. Flying debris and broken glass are the biggest dangers.
- Keep pets in a protected area with family during chemical emergencies. If a HazMat event is occurring, keep pets inside, close windows and doors, turn off ventilation, and keep pets in the same sealed room as your family.
Step 5: Actions To Take If You’re On The Road
- Heat kills. Never leave a pet in a parked car, even with windows cracked. Alabama car interiors become deadly within minutes for much of the year.
- Keep pets crated or leashed in vehicles. Frightened or stressed animals can escape at gas stations and rest areas.
- Maintain pet’s schedules for watering & feeding. Even if you’re on the road, be sure to offer water at every stop and feed pets on their usual schedule.
- Keep pets crated or leashed in hotel rooms or at a shelter. At a hotel, home or shelter, keep pets crated when unattended and stick to their normal routine as much as possible.
Step 6: Actions To Take When You Return Home
- Check the property first, without your pets. Look for downed power lines, broken glass, nails, displaced snakes or wildlife, and contaminated water.
- Keep pets leashed for several days. Familiar scents and landmarks may be gone, and disoriented pets get lost easily.
- Don’t let pets drink floodwater or eat spoiled food. Floodwater can carry leptospirosis, chemicals, and sewage.
- Watch for and manage signs of stress. Contact your veterinarian if pets are hiding, showing appetite changes, vomiting, or diarrhea, or displaying unusual aggression.
Pet Go-bag Checklist: What To Pack For An Emergency Evacuation
Pack one waterproof, easy-to-carry bin or duffel bag per household, plus a carrier for each pet, and store it near your home’s exit. Seven days of food and water are recommended at a minimum; pack more than 7 days if you can.
Food & Water Supplies
- 7 days of food (dry food in an airtight container plus pop-top cans)
- 7 days of water (about 1 oz per pound of body weight per day; more in heat). Note: Many preparedness websites sell convenient water pouches that contain 4.2 oz of fresh water in a sealed pack. They’re durable, lie flat, and are ideal for carrying water in a go-bag.
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Treats
- Small bottle of liquid dish soap for washing bowls
Medications & Medical Records
- 2-week supply of every medication, with dosing instructions
- Flea, tick and heartworm preventatives
- Rabies certificate and vaccination records (paper in a zip bag or laminated in plastic, plus a photo on your phone)
- Microchip number and registry phone number
- Medical history, allergies and recent lab results for pets with chronic conditions
- Your veterinarian’s phone number and a list of veterinarians near your intended destination
Pet Identification
- Collar or harness with ID tag on every pet, plus a spare
- Recent photos of each pet, ideally with you in them (proves ownership)
- Written description: breed, color, markings, weight and age
- Carrier labeled with your name, cell number and an out-of-area contact
Containment & Comfort
- Sturdy crate or carrier for each pet, big enough to stand and turn around
- Leash (plus a spare) and harness
- Muzzle for dogs that may bite when frightened
- Familiar blanket, bed or T-shirt that smells like home
- A favorite toy
- Calming aids your veterinarian has approved
Sanitation
- Cat litter, disposable litter pans (foil roasting pans work) and a scoop
- Poop bags
- Puppy pads, paper towels and trash bags
- Disinfectant wipes or spray
Pet First-aid Kit
- Gauze pads, cotton bandage rolls and self-adhesive wrap
- Bandage tape and blunt-tip scissors
- Saline solution for flushing eyes and wounds
- Antibiotic ointment
- Tweezers and a tick remover
- Digital thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Towel and washcloth
- Small flashlight
Documents and contacts
- List of pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities and friends outside your area
- Your county’s emergency preparedness phone number
- Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) animal shelter line: 334-240-7278
- “Pets Inside” door sticker
Timing: Refresh the pet evacuation kit twice a year. When clocks change in spring and fall, rotate food and water, check medication expiration dates, and update photos and records.
Special Considerations For Pet Evacuation By Species and Health
| Pet | What’s different | Vet tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Hide when stressed; escape from open carriers | Know their hiding spots; confine them to one room as soon as an emergency is pending |
| Birds | Sensitive to drafts, heat, smoke and fumes | Use a small travel cage covered with a light cloth; pack a spray bottle for misting in heat |
| Reptiles | Need a steady temperature | Travel in a secure ventilated tub; pack heat packs or a battery heat source and a water dish |
| Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets) | Heat-stress quickly | Wrap a frozen water bottle in a towel to cool the carrier; bring bedding and hay |
| Senior or chronically ill pets | Can’t skip medications or special diets | Carry 2+ weeks of medications and recent bloodwork; ask us for a written care summary |
| Flat-faced dogs (bulldogs, pugs) | High heat-stroke risk | Travel in the coolest hours, keep the AC running, never leave them in the car |
| Horses and livestock | Need trailers and more lead time | Leave early; keep Coggins papers and ID with you; see FEMA’s horse and livestock guides |
Where Can Pets Go During An Evacuation In Alabama?
Your best options, in order: 1) friends or family outside the affected area; 2) a pet-friendly hotel; 3) a boarding kennel or veterinary clinic outside the danger zone, and 4) a state emergency animal shelter. Many Alabama public shelters allow only service animals, so always call ahead.
Hoover-area pet owners: Hoover sits in both Jefferson and Shelby counties, and storm shelter pet policies differ. As of 2025, Shelby County storm shelters accept only service animals, and in Jefferson County, each city sets its own policy. Check with your city or county emergency management agency (EMA) before storm season so you know where your pets can go. Because Hoover is far inland, it is also a common destination for Gulf Coast evacuees during hurricanes, so local pet-friendly hotels and boarding facilities can fill quickly. Book early.
Alabama Regional Emergency Animal Shelters
During major disasters the state opens regional animal shelters, coordinated by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI):
| Shelter | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Garrett Coliseum | 1555 Federal Drive, Montgomery | 2,500–5,000 domestic animals; 700–900 large animals |
| Houston County Farm Center | 1701 East Cottonwood Road, Dothan | 400 domestic animals; 150 large animals |
These shelters accept any species, including unvaccinated animals, and the state provides rabies vaccination and medical care. Owners cannot stay with their pets, though limited space for owners is available elsewhere on the property. For status during an emergency, call ADAI at 334-240-7278.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Disaster Preparedness
What should be in a pet go-bag?
At minimum: 7 days of food and water, a 2-week supply of medications, vaccination records, a photo of you with your pet, a collar with ID, a leash, a labeled carrier, sanitation supplies and a pet first-aid kit. See the full checklist above.
How much food and water should I pack for my pet?
Pack at least 7 days of food and 7 days of water. For water, plan on roughly 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day, and more in hot weather.
Can I bring my pet to an emergency shelter in Alabama?
Usually not to a general public shelter, since most accept only service animals. Some county and community shelters allow leashed or crated pets, and the state opens pet shelters in Montgomery and Dothan during major disasters. Call your county EMA first.
Where should I put my pet during a tornado?
Bring your pet into your safe room with you, in a closed carrier or on a leash, as soon as a tornado watch is issued. Pets often hide when storms approach, so don’t wait for the warning.
Should I leave my pet at home during an evacuation?
If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pet. Pets left behind can be injured, escape, or go days without food and water. Take them with you whenever you can.
Do I need my pet’s vaccination records to evacuate?
Boarding facilities, veterinary clinics and most pet-friendly hotels require proof of rabies and core vaccines. Keep a paper copy in your go-bag and a photo on your phone.
Is a microchip enough identification?
Use both a microchip and a collar with an ID tag. A tag lets anyone call you right away; the chip is the backup if the collar comes off. Make sure your chip registration has your current phone number.
What should I do if my pet gets lost during an emergency?
Contact local animal control and shelters right away, post on community lost-pet pages with a recent photo and call your microchip registry to confirm your contact details. Visit shelters in person every few days.
Who can help me get my pet ready for emergencies?
Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital – in Hoover, Alabama – can help you check off the hardest items in one visit: microchipping and registration, vaccine updates, printed records, a medication refill, and advice on calming aids for travel.
Call us at (205) 823-6002 or request an appointment online. Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital is located at 2107 Marlboro Street, Hoover, AL 35226, and is open Monday–Friday, 7 am–6 pm, and Saturday, 8 am–12 pm.
This article is general guidance and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. Always follow evacuation orders from local officials.