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.

Report Animals in Distress | Contact Oakland Animal Services

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](PDF, 19MB). 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.

  • Please note: The City of Oakland is currently in the process of updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Click here to participate in the plan update process.

Emergency Pet Need

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		 Prepare Your Pets for Disasters from ready.gov
General Pet Preparedness Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Translated Information [Spanish]
Find Pet Friendly Hotels		 Be Prepared: Pet Safety in Emergencies from the CDC
Frequently Asked and Answered Questions Humane Society Answers to General Questions Disasters FAQ from humanesociety.org page
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)		 Fire Safety for Pets from aspcapetinsurance.com
General Pet and Animal Emergency Planning The Network of Care for Behavioral Health Caring For Your Pet After A Disaster
Tips For Large Animals		 Pet and Animal Emergency Planning from alameda.networkofcare.org
A Pet Sitters Point of View Pet Sitters International Questions to Ask the Pet Owner
Extreme Weather: Lessons Learned		 Pet Sitters International Disaster Preparedness Tips

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]
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