Why FEMA Cares About Pet Safety In Emergencies

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the U.S., has the responsibility of assisting local governments in mitigating risk, and recovering from large scale disasters and emergencies.  So why should they care about our pets, or any other animals, in the event of a disaster?

First, let’s talk about what constitutes a “Disaster” or “Emergency” that warrants FEMA’s attention and involvement.  

Pets and Wildlife have a role in disasters and emergencies

Disasters that get FEMA's attention may occur in the form of:

⇒ Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes & storms or earthquakes.

⇒ Acts of Terror such as a mass shooting, bombing, or the events of 9/11 in New York in 2001.

⇒ Technological or Industrial disasters such as a large scale chemical contamination, factory explosion, or a nuclear accident.

With such extreme events that can be catastrophic for humans to worry about, why does FEMA care about the safety of our pets or any other animals? 

I'm glad FEMA cares about me and all the other animals (even those pesky deer) if disaster strikes!

4 categories comprise FEMA’s main concern and responsibility  

Here’s how animals can impact each of those 4 categories:

🐶 Public Safety risk:  

People may be reluctant to evacuate if they can’t bring their pets with them to safety, or if they can’t locate their pets in the home or on their property when an evacuation order is given.  Pets should be part of your emergency preparedness and evacuation plans!

What if a disaster damaged fencing or cages at a zoo and dangerous animals escaped?  What if frightened, displaced wildlife began attacking pets or children out of extreme fear?   What if hundreds of shelter dogs escaped and began running wildly in the streets?  Zoos, as well as Animal Shelters, need emergency preparedness and evacuation plans in place that include the animals in their care.

What will become of me and all my shelter friends if disaster strikes?

The safety of First Responders is a significant concern.  If they encounter aggressive or fear aggressive pets or other animals, Responders must be trained to recognize the signs of aggression and fear in animals and respond accordingly.

🙀 Public Health risk:

Diseases due to dead animals as a result of a disaster may occur and spread rapidly.  Animal diseases that are kept under controlled in normal circumstances, such as Salmonella, may begin to spread more quickly during disasters like flooding or mud slides.   Animal waste contained on farms may contaminate the water supply in the event of flooding.  Communities need to be prepared to respond to a post disaster scenario like this.

🐺 Economic risk:

Not only is damage of property a huge cost to individuals, insurance companies, and the local economy, but loss of livestock and farms also have a potentially large impact on local and national productivity.  Livestock should be included in disaster preparedness.  A plan to shelter and transport these animals should be in place.



Wildfires raged in Sedona in 2014 near my favorite watering hole.  There was so much destruction.  We didn't go back for two years!

🐈 Environmental concerns:

Protecting wildlife is important for the natural environment and balance.  During a disaster, disease and contaminants may be present.  This could affect the natural environment, including plants, trees, rivers, and the drinking water supply.

During Hurricane Katrina, thousands of animals needed to be rescued, transported, and sheltered.   Sadly, a huge number of displaced pets were never reunited with their families.  

I will take the opportunity right now to urge everyone to Microchip your dog or cat!  A chip can be easily scanned, the family contacted, and the microchipped pet quickly returned home.  If a pet isn’t microchipped and their collar with ID tags is lost an owner has to conduct a widespread search on their own.  This is difficult enough, but in an emergency situation you never know where your pet may end up.  They may even be transported to another state!  A pet’s collar is very likely to break off or get lost in the chaos of a disaster.

We are both microchipped, so Mommy can find us if we got separated during an emergency!

Legislation was enacted in 2006 to help animals in the face of disaster

Following Hurricane Katrina, the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act  (OR See the Simpler Wikipedia page link) and the Emergency Management Reform Act  were created.  This mandates state and local communities to incorporate provisions in their emergency plans for people with household pets and service animals.  

State and local governments must now include animals in their disaster plans, with help and support from FEMA.

I am so happy that this legislation was created!  In  September 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated Southern Texas and Hurricane Irma barreled through the Caribbean, leaving much devastation in it's path.  At this moment, Hurricane Florence is making landfall in the Carolinas, with enormous flooding potential.

During Hurricane Harvey preparations, shelters in states neighboring Texas went into action to help the pets and animals they know will be lost or displaced following the Hurricane.  They made room in their shelters, arranged for transport out of Texas, and had fosters lined up to handle the overflow of pets they know will be coming.   I'm hoping shelters will do the same each time a catastrophic event occurs.

Disaster can strike at a moment's notice, please be sure to have a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your family in place!  It's critical that you include your pets in disaster planning. Be ready to evacuate your family, including pets, if your city makes the recommendation.

Here are links to some excellent resources that can help you with Emergency Disaster Planning that includes pets:

Hill’s Food Shelter and Love’s Disaster Relief Network  helps animal shelters in need when disaster strikes.  They have shared lots of information to help you ensure your pets safety in an emergency!

Get Hill's Info Graphic on how to be #PetPrepared from Hill's Pet Nutrition's Food Shelter and Love program. 

Hill's 8 Steps To Get Prepared,  will help you get pets ready in the event a natural disaster should occur.

Are you prepared for how YOUR pet may act in a disaster or emergency situation? In the post linked here, I talk more about how a disaster or emergency situation might effect your pets during and after the emergency.  Pets may not behave the way you expect in the face of disaster!

Do you have a disaster preparedness plan in place that includes your pets?  Where will you take your pet in the event of an evacuation?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us, we love hearing from you!