Emergency Planning for Pets

What to do

Before an emergency

• Put together a pet emergency survival kit.
• Complete a pet record (PDF) for each pet and store it in your emergency kit.
• Ensure pets are microchipped.
• Make a list of pet-friendly places:
  • kennels
  • veterinary facilities
  • hotels and motels
• Find out which hotels allow pets in emergencies.

During an emergency

• When warnings of an emergency are issued, take pets and their completed pet record (PDF) to an emergency shelter.
• If a pet is left behind at your home:
  • close and lock all doors and windows, leave extra bowls of food and water, and ensure the toilet lid is up with the bathroom door wedged open.
  • advise Animal Services by calling 905-832-2281 or an emergency shelter worker.

After an emergency

• When returning home, give pets time to settle back into their routines.
• Leash pets when they go outside – familiar landmarks and smells might be gone and pets can get disorientated and lost.
• The temperament of pets may change after an emergency, watch them closely – a once friendly animal can become aggressive or defensive.

What to know

• Service animals are permitted in the living space of an emergency shelter.
• Pets can be housed at the emergency shelter or the animal shelter.
• Pet safety is the owner’s responsibility before, during and after an emergency.
• Pets left alone can become victims of exposure, starvation, predators or contaminated food and water.
• Pets left inside the home may escape through damaged areas, such as broken windows.

Pet emergency 72-hour survival kit

• Blankets, towels and newspaper
• Current photo of pet to prove ownership and in case they get lost
• Food, bowls and can opener
• Information on pet’s feeding schedule, special instructions or concerns
• Leash, muzzle and harness
• List of possible boarding facilities
• Litter pan, litter, plastic bags and scooper
• Medical records, especially proof of vaccination
• Medications and pet first aid kit
• Proof of ID tag/microchip
• Small toy
• Water