Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
Fax (213) 481-2375 vet@ph.lacounty.gov
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Disaster Preparedness Tips for the Whole Family
Are you prepared
for an Emergency or
Disaster?
The
ASPCA recommends
using a
rescue sticker
alert to
let people know that
pets are inside your
home. Make sure it is
visible to rescue
workers, and that it
includes the types and
number of pets in your
household and your
veterinarian's phone
number. If you must
evacuate with your pets)
write "EVACUATED" across
the stickers so rescue
workers don’t waste time
looking for them.
One easy step to take is
to make
Emergency Kits
for the whole family,
including your pets.
Emergency Kit
for People
Water
Food
First Aid Kit
Medications
Tools and other
supplies (Fire
extinguisher,
flashlight, etc.)
Cash
Important
Records/Documents
Visit
Ready.gov for more
ideas for your kit
Emergency Kit
for Pets
Water
Food
First Aid Kit
Medications
Make sure your pet has
an ID tag and microchip
Vaccination,
licensing, and other
medical records
A picture of you and
your pet together
Carrier or crate
for each pet
Other supplies (bowls,
leash, litter box, toys,
etc.)
What should you
do during a disaster?
There are many different
types of emergencies and
disasters, visit the
American Red Cross
to learn more. They have
excellent Apps for your
smart phone including a
Wildfire App and
Earthquake App.
If you are able,
bring your pets
inside
immediately. If you know
severe weather is
coming, bring you pets
in as early as possible
to prevent them from
injury or running away.
Never leave a pet
outside or tied up
during a storm. Separate
your pets (cats, dogs,
pocket pets) even if
they normally get along.
The situation may cause
animals to act
aggressively or
defensively. Have
newspapers or other
products for sanitary
purposes. Canned or
moist food may be fed so
they will need less
water to drink.
Do you know what
you should do if you
have to evacuate?
Pets are an important
part of your family and
animals are affected by
disasters and
emergencies too. If you
have to evacuate,
take your pets
with you.
Pets may not survive if
you leave them behind.
Call your local
emergency management
office, animal shelter,
or animal control office
to get advice and
information. If you are
evacuating to a public
shelter, service animals
are allowed, pets may be
allowed in co-location
shelters, but many
shelters will not allow
pets inside. Plan in
advance for alternatives
like pet-friendly family
members or friends
outside the disaster
area or pet-friendly
hotels found at
pets-allowed-hotels.com
and
petswelcome.com.
Horse owners
should identify in
advance how they will
trailer their horses to
safety in an emergency.
Bird owners
should make sure that
the bird is caged and
the cage is covered by a
thin cloth or sheet to
provide security and
filtered light.
Remember, after a
disaster or emergency,
wherever you are always
leash or secure your
pets as they may be
confused in new
surroundings and there
may be new dangers like
downed power lines or
displaced wildlife. The
behavior of your
pet may change
during and after an
emergency. Normally
quiet and friendly pets
may become aggressive or
defensive. Watch animals
closely in a secured
area with access to
shelter and water.
