Emergency Preparedness & Your Pet
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) is prepared to respond in a disaster. You and your pet should be too. Here’s what you can do:
- Microchip and license your pet: If you and your pet are separated, these identifiers could be crucial in reuniting you with your pet. Make sure the microchip number is registered and your contact information is current at MACC.
- Make an emergency supply kit for your pet that includes:
- Food & Water: Keep at least three days of food and water in an airtight, waterproof container.
- Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis and a copy of their medical records in a waterproof container.
- First Aid Kit: Kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, saline solution, and a pet first aid reference book.
- Collar with ID tag and leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit.
- Important documents: Place copies of your pet’s registration information (license and microchip), adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a waterproof container.
- Sanitation: Include pet litter and a litter box if appropriate. Also include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach (to use as a disinfectant).
- A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
- Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency:
- Evacuation: Secure appropriate lodging in advance for you and your pet should your home need to be evacuated. Options include family and friends outside the area, a hotel or motel that takes pets, and animal boarding facilities. Always consider your personal safety first. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind that your pets may not be allowed inside.
- Develop a buddy system: Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to have someone available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
- Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about emergency planning: Discuss the types of things you should include in your pet’s emergency first aid kit and if they board client’s pets in emergencies.
- Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment: Make a list of contact information and addresses including MACC, the Humane Society, and emergency veterinary hospitals.
- Obtain "Pets Inside" stickers and place them on your doors or windows: include information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert first responders and rescue workers.
Pet emergency preparedness information and toolkit
Information on the City of Minneapolis’ emergency preparedness
Last updated May. 2, 2012