Immediate danger? Call 911.
An evacuation plan is incomplete until every animal has a person, a carrier or safe restraint, a vehicle space and a destination. Practice loading before an emergency. When evacuation is needed, leave early enough to bring animals safely; do not leave them tethered outside. [P02]
Name a primary handler and a backup who has agreed to help if you are absent. Show them the carrier, supplies, hiding places and written care instructions. Arrange lawful access in advance; never ask a neighbor to enter an unsafe area or defy an evacuation restriction. Keep collar identification and microchip-registry contacts current, and save a recent photo of each pet with you. [P02]
Keep a home reserve and an easy-to-carry evacuation kit. CDC's pet checklist calls for two weeks of food, water and medicines as applicable; work with your veterinarian on prescriptions, refrigeration, individual water/diet needs and safe storage. Rotate by expiry and product instructions. [P01]
Pack bowls, food, water, medication instructions, leash/harness, an appropriately sized carrier, waste supplies, bedding, proof of ownership, vaccination/medical records, microchip details and emergency contacts. Keep paper copies waterproof and a digital copy available offline. Label each carrier with a reachable contact. [P01]
Identify more than one friend, boarding facility or pet-friendly lodging option outside the likely evacuation area. Check current incident announcements before traveling to an emergency animal shelter; opening, capacity and species accepted can change. [P02]
Service animals have different access rights from pets. Under the ADA, a qualifying service dog generally accompanies its handler in public services, including emergency shelters, even where ordinary pets are restricted. A purchased certificate or vest is not required. Emotional-support status by itself is not the same as ADA service-animal status. Tell shelter staff what assistance you need and keep the handler and service animal together wherever possible. [P03]
Keep animals securely contained and supervised. Fear, damage and unfamiliar surroundings can change their behavior. Prepare an indoor toilet/waste area if officials require sheltering. In a radiation emergency, bring pets indoors and wash potentially contaminated fur carefully with soap/shampoo and water, protecting yourself and keeping wounds covered. Wash your hands afterward. [P04]
Ten-minute rehearsal: locate each animal, secure it, retrieve its kit, and load safely into the actual vehicle. Record the time and solve the slowest step. Do this as a calm practice with the animal's comfort in mind. This is a recommended household exercise, not a claim that every evacuation can be completed in ten minutes.
Ask your veterinarian what form the practice will accept. Put the accepted authorization in the veterinary record and give copies to the backup caregiver and evacuation kit. Do not circulate completed forms publicly. County and AVMA guidance support arranging this in advance. [P02, P05]
Owner name: ____________________
Address: ____________________
Primary and alternate telephone: ____________________
Email: ____________________
Authorized caregiver name and telephone: ____________________
Veterinary practice and telephone: ____________________
Alternate emergency clinic and telephone: ____________________
Effective from __________ through __________
For each animal: name; species/breed; age; sex; identifying features; microchip number; relevant medical conditions; allergies; current medication, dose and schedule. Attach an extra sheet if needed.
I authorize the named caregiver to present the identified animal(s) for veterinary evaluation if I cannot be reached. I authorize the following care: ____________________. The veterinarian/caregiver should try these contacts first: ____________________.
Total spending limit I approve for this authorization: $__________. If that limit may be exceeded or a decision falls outside the authorized care, use these additional instructions: ____________________.
Treatment or decisions that require my separate direct approval: ____________________. Existing advance veterinary directives, if any: ____________________.
Payment arrangements confirmed with the practice: ____________________. Do not write a full payment-card number on this form.
Owner signature: ____________________ Date: __________
Caregiver acknowledgment: ____________________ Date: __________
Practice acknowledgment or replacement-form reference: ____________________
This is a planning template for discussion. It does not guarantee clinic acceptance, treatment availability or enforceability, and should be reconciled with the practice's consent and payment requirements before an emergency.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-kit.html
https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/