Why did Hurricane Katrina change how the U.S. handles pets during disasters?

An estimated 44% of people who stayed behind during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 did so specifically because they refused to abandon a pet, and roughly 250,000 animals were left in the storm's path, prompting Congress to pass the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act in 2006 (Federal Emergency Management Agency, n.d.). That law requires state and local emergency plans receiving federal disaster funds to address the needs of household pets and service animals during evacuations and shelter operations. Before the PETS Act, most public shelters simply turned pet owners away at the door, which is a major reason the death toll and rescue costs from that storm ran so high.

The law didn't just change policy on paper; it pushed many counties to build actual co-located or adjacent pet-friendly shelter agreements with the American Red Cross and local animal control agencies (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023). Owners now generally have a legal expectation that emergency shelters in their county have some plan for pets, but the AVMA cautions that availability, capacity, and species restrictions still vary widely by jurisdiction, so confirming your specific county's plan before disaster season is not optional.

What should go in a pet disaster emergency kit?

The ASPCA recommends assembling a portable kit that includes at least a 3- to 7-day supply of food and water, any current medications, a first-aid kit, a leash and harness or secure carrier per pet, and copies of vaccination and medical records stored in a waterproof bag (ASPCA, n.d.). Storing this kit in a labeled, grab-and-go container near an exit door means owners are not scrambling to find a can opener or a carrier while a tornado warning is active.

CDC guidance for pet owners specifically calls out including a two-week supply of any prescription medication when possible, since pharmacies and veterinary clinics in a disaster zone may be closed or destroyed for days to weeks after the event (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). A photo of you with your pet, kept in the kit, also helps prove ownership if you become separated during a large-scale evacuation and need to reclaim your animal from a temporary shelter or rescue operation.

How do I make sure my pet can be identified if we get separated?

Microchipping combined with a visible collar ID tag gives an animal two independent ways to be traced back to an owner, and the AVMA notes that microchips are the more reliable long-term option because collars can slip off or be removed during flood rescues or shelter intake (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023). It's worth confirming the microchip registry contact information is current well before hurricane or wildfire season, since a chip registered to an old phone number or address is functionally useless in an emergency.

During large-scale disasters, animal control agencies and organizations like the Humane Society routinely operate temporary reunification databases and physical staging areas specifically because so many pets get displaced from carriers, yards, or leashes during chaotic evacuations. Keeping a recent, clear photo of your pet on your phone, along with any distinguishing marks noted, speeds up identification at these intake points considerably.

Should I evacuate with my pet or leave them behind with supplies?

FEMA's guidance is unambiguous on this point: if it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for your pet to stay, and owners should never leave animals behind expecting to return quickly, since disasters routinely close roads and restrict re-entry for days (Federal Emergency Management Agency, n.d.). Evacuating with animals loose in a vehicle also creates a safety hazard for the driver, so a secured crate or carrier restrained in the back seat or cargo area is the standard recommendation from veterinary behaviorists.

For large animals like horses, cattle, or backyard poultry that cannot travel in a car, Penn State Extension recommends identifying evacuation trailers, transport routes, and receiving farms or fairgrounds well in advance, because arranging emergency livestock transport during an active evacuation order is far harder than pre-registering with a local agricultural extension office (Penn State Extension, 2022).

What if my pet has a chronic condition, is elderly, or is on medication?

Animals with diabetes, seizure disorders, kidney disease, or other conditions requiring daily medication or monitoring face a higher risk during disasters because their routine, and often refrigeration for insulin or other drugs, gets disrupted (American Animal Hospital Association, 2021). Owners of pets on chronic medications should ask their veterinarian for an extra 1- to 2-week supply before hurricane season begins and keep a written medication and dosing schedule in the emergency kit in case another caregiver has to step in.

Senior pets and those with mobility issues also do worse in loud, crowded emergency shelters, so identifying a pet-friendly hotel or a friend or relative outside the disaster zone ahead of time, rather than relying solely on a public shelter, reduces stress-related complications like decompensation of heart or kidney disease during an already dangerous event.

How do disaster shelters and hotels actually handle pets during an evacuation?

Not every Red Cross shelter accepts animals directly inside with their owners; many operate a co-located model where pets are housed in an adjacent, separately staffed area while owners stay in the main shelter and visit regularly (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023). Bringing your own carrier, food, and leash is typically required because shelter-run pet areas are frequently under-supplied during a large regional event.

A growing number of hotel chains waive pet fees or pet policies during declared disasters, but availability fills quickly, so the ASPCA recommends researching pet-friendly lodging along likely evacuation routes before a storm is named or a wildfire evacuation order is issued, not after (ASPCA, n.d.). Keeping a list of two or three backup options, along with boarding kennels and veterinary clinics outside the affected region, gives owners a fallback if the first choice is already full.

How can I prepare backyard and farm animals for hurricanes or wildfires?

Backyard poultry, rabbits, and other small livestock need pre-labeled, easily transportable carriers, since Penn State Extension notes that panicked handling during an active evacuation increases the risk of injury or escape for animals unaccustomed to being crated (Penn State Extension, 2022). Owners who cannot evacuate poultry or livestock should never simply turn animals loose, as this increases the risk of them being struck by vehicles, drowning, or becoming disease vectors if they mix with wildlife during a flood.

For horses specifically, Equine Guelph recommends practicing loading animals into a trailer well before hurricane season, because an animal that has never been trailered will often refuse to load under storm-level stress, costing owners critical evacuation time (Equine Guelph, n.d.). Farms in wildfire-prone regions should also identify defensible pasture space and water sources in advance in case evacuation becomes impossible and animals must shelter in place.