Preparing for a Disaster or Evacuating with Your Pets

Many emergency shelters have a no-pets policy, so it is critical to have a plan ahead of time. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND if you evacuate during a disaster. They are unlikely to survive without you, and if they do survive, they may escape in a panic and get lost. The ASPCA and FEMA offer advice on making a plan or evacuating with your pets. 

If there is an evacuation order in progress, or a disaster has struck your area, try to get up-to-the-moment information from your local emergency management officials, the Red Cross, or FEMA. These organizations usually broadcast relevant information on local radio or on Twitter. Pet-Friendly Planning will also try to post this type of information on our Twitter page.

Leaving an Abusive Home with Your Pets

If you are in an abusive situation, be very careful. Visit Dr. Phil for tips on how to leave without putting yourself in more danger. Be sure to download the ASPIRE news app. 

In some cases, it is crucial to cover your tracks (including deleting the history on the computer) so that the abuser does not suspect that you are leaving, and is not able to find you. Again, do some research, get help, and make a plan if it is at all possible. However, if you are in immediate danger, call 911 or escape/hide if you can do so safely.

Victims of abuse often stay because the abuser has victimized or threatened beloved pets. If you would like to leave but need a safe place for your pets, please refer to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness and the ASPCA. A local rescue group or veterinarian might also be able to help you.

Helping the Pets of People Who are Homeless

Many homeless people have a pet that they keep by their side, even if it prevents the person from being admitted into a shelter or motel. Pets can provide homeless people with much-needed companionship, non-judgmental love and loyalty, a sense of purpose, a source of protection, and in some cases a link to reality. Sometimes the pet was part of the family before the person became homeless. Even though many homeless people love their pets dearly -- and sometimes care for the pets better than they care for themselves -- it is hard for them to provide food, and even harder to get veterinary care. Most people are homeless only temporarily, and they may need help finding shelter for themselves and their pets. For information on how you can help pets of the homeless, please visit Pets of the Homeless or Pets of the Homeless Australia.