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Pet Preparedness

Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders in danger. This page provides resources on how to prepare your with and for, your pet.

Know Your Hazards

Knowing what hazards may impact you and your pet is half the battle. The best way to prepare your pet is to understand the impacts that potential hazards may have on your home. You can start by reviewing the City of Oakland's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan [LHMP] linked here. The LHMP provides a direction for reducing the potential for loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation from natural disasters, while accelerating economic recovery from those disasters.

Emergency Pet Needs

CalFire fighter rescuing cats.

Imagine an unexpected disaster or emergency occurs and you only have 30 minutes to evacuate:

  • Can you gather all of your pets into carriers?
  • Do you have enough carriers for the number of pets you have?
  • Are all pets wearing ID?
  • Do you have a current photo of your pets, in the event that a pet escapes?

Remember, during a disaster, what’s good for you is good for your pet. Get them ready today.

Watch a short video on pet preparedness

Related Links

Topic/Description Source Key Points Related Links

General Pet Preparedness Information

Federal Emergency Management Agency

  • Make Pet Emergency Plan

  • Build an Emergency Kit

General Pet Preparedness Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Translated Information [Spanish]
  • Find Pet Friendly Hotels

Frequently Asked and Answered Questions

Humane Society

  • Answers to General Questions

Pets & Fire Safety

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  • Prevent Your Pet From Starting A Fire
  • Importance of Pet Identification (collar/microchipping)

General Pet and Animal Emergency Planning

The Network of Care for Behavioral Health

  • Caring For Your Pet After A Disaster

  • Tips For Large Animals

A Pet Sitters Point of View

Pet Sitters International

  • Questions to Ask the Pet Owner
  • Extreme Weather: Lessons Learned

Additional information and resources will be posted here as it becomes available.

Interested in volunteering to help us prepare for emergency animal care in Oakland? Become an Oakland CERT Volunteer!

About

Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders in danger. This page provides resources on how to prepare you and your pet.

Thank you to our page contributors:

  • Jenny Su, Community Engagement Intern [Office of the Mayor]