How to Prepare Your Pets and Family for Natural Disasters

Disasters don’t wait until your schedule clears. They hit when they hit—on a Tuesday night, in the middle of a soccer game, or halfway through dinner. When that moment shows up, the last thing you need is to start guessing. You want to move. Fast, calm, clear. And if you’ve got animals, you better believe they’re watching your every move and following your lead—unless you’ve made zero plan for them. That’s where things break down.

1. Make Pets Part of the Plan
Too many families design emergency plans like their pets are optional. They’re not. If the house floods, the fire spreads, the air goes toxic—your animals are in it with you. The question is, can they go where you're going? Some shelters say no. Some hotels might say yes, but only if you call ahead and get written confirmation. And during a real emergency? You might not have time for those calls. You need routes that don’t just get your family to safety, but get your animals out too—on the same map, in the same plan, without improvising under pressure. That starts with asking hard questions now and locking down answers before they’re tested.

2. Pack a Ready-to-Go Pet Bag
The last thing you want to do is dig through drawers while the lights flicker. That’s why packing a collapsible bowl and spare leash isn’t just a “nice idea”—it’s core survival. This go-kit should include basic food, water, medication, a toy or two, vaccination records, ID tags, and a recent photo. Bag it all up in something waterproof and label it clearly. Stick it next to your human go-bag, not in the back of the closet. Every second you save by not scrambling is a second you can use to make smarter decisions. This bag isn’t for show—it’s the thing that turns chaos into order when the sirens start.

3. Prepare a Household Emergency Kit
Disasters don’t pause so you can think clearly. That’s why it’s smart to build a disaster kit early—not just for your pets, but for the entire household. Keep one duffel or bin stocked with bottled water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlight, portable radio, and anything else you’d reach for in the first hour of a crisis. Check expiration dates every few months, and store everything where you can grab it fast. If your family knows exactly where the kit is and what’s inside, you’ve already bought yourself better odds in the worst-case scenario.

4. Choose Backup Caregivers You Trust
Let’s talk backup. You're not always going to be home. And even if you are, disaster might not let you get back in. Fires move fast. Floods rise quickly. You need two people you trust to step in if you can't. Not just pet lovers. People who know your pet. Who won’t panic. Who understand your dog’s fear of storms or your cat’s habit of hiding under beds. Write down their names. Give them keys. Walk them through your routines now, before the pressure’s on. That’s how you build redundancy—not with good intentions, but with people who are ready.

5. Practice Your Emergency Routine
So many plans look great on paper but fall apart in practice. Grab the leash. Crate the cat. Get everyone to the car. Now try doing it fast. Try doing it while your hands shake. Animals feel that. And if they’re not used to the process, they resist. That’s why practicing evacuating with your pets isn’t an overreaction—it’s rehearsal. It’s a way to make the unnatural feel familiar. Do it when it’s calm so that your body knows the steps when it’s not.

6. Use Familiar Items to Keep Pets Calm
What calms your pet? Probably not a loud voice or a new crate. It’s that sweater you always wear. That blanket they sleep on. That toy they drag around the house. In a loud, strange, panicked world, those things become anchors. You don’t need to overthink it. Just bring the item that smells like home. And remember: your calm voice, your slow hand movements, your steady breathing—they're part of the kit too. If your pet sees you lose it, they will too. But if you move with quiet purpose, they’ll follow, even if they don’t understand what’s happening.

7. Plan for the Possibility of Separation
Even with the best prep, stuff happens. A leash slips. A door blows open. Fear takes over and suddenly, they’re gone. It’s not failure. It’s life. That’s why you prep for the reunion, too. Photos. Tags. Microchip info that’s actually current. And not just digital copies—print them. Stick them in your go-bag, your glovebox, your neighbor’s fridge. Don’t assume you’ll have internet, power, or time. Assume it’s on you to help the people around you help you. Because when they say “I think we found your dog,” you’ll want proof. And fast.

You don’t need to be a prepper. You don’t need to buy military-grade gear. What you do need is a plan that includes your pets from the start—not as a second thought, not as a nice-to-have, but as part of your family’s safety net. That means bags packed. Caregivers briefed. Routines rehearsed. The hard questions asked and answered. Disasters move fast. But if your plan’s already moving, you’ve got a shot at staying one step ahead—and taking every family member with you, fur and all.

Support the lifesaving mission of DART Command Central by exploring their innovative EASApp™, designed to empower volunteers and protect pets during disasters. Visit their site to learn more and make a difference today!

This article was written by Susan Peterson

Image: Freepik