In emergency situations, pets are often the most vulnerable members of the family.

Think about what plans you can put in place now. 

Who would care for your pets if you were unable to get home? 

What you would do with them if you had to evacuate?

Planning ahead before severe weather strikes will save you valuable time and could also save the life of your pets.

RSCPA's video below shows you why it's so important to have a plan in place for your pet.

 

Watch Pet Emergency Plan on YouTube.
Severe weather emergency plan for pets
Pet Emergency Plan Image
RSPCA and Get Ready Queensland have worked together to create an emergency plan for pets, which should be in adddition to your existing household severe weather plan. The plan steps you through all of the things you should think about for your pet in severe weather including packing a pet emergency kit.

Prepare your pet emergency kit

Get ready before the next disaster hits and pack a bag or box of necessities for your pet to last at least five days, so that you can act quickly during an emergency.

Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out what you need to include.

People sitting with dog
Research a safe place to take your pets

If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.

54.00%
61.00%
Map on laptop icon
Transport options

Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.

26.00%
60.00%
Pet lead icon
If you are unable to get home

Ensure that you share your pet emergency plan with nearby friends or neighbours so they can implement the plan in your absence.

45.00%
37.00%
Person holding electronic device
ID your pet

Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.

81.00%
64.00%
Dog icon
Pack a pet emergency kit

Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.

86.00%
35.00%
Pet case icon
Identify a safe place at home

If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.

23.00%
19.00%
Exit icon
Pet advice

Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.

43.00%
69.00%
Pet medical record icon
Research a safe place to take your pets

If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.

54.00%
61.00%
Map on laptop icon
Transport options

Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.

26.00%
60.00%
Pet lead icon
If you are unable to get home

Ensure that you share your pet emergency plan with nearby friends or neighbours so they can implement the plan in your absence.

45.00%
37.00%
Person holding electronic device
ID your pet

Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.

81.00%
64.00%
Dog icon
Pack a pet emergency kit

Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.

86.00%
35.00%
Pet case icon
Identify a safe place at home

If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.

23.00%
19.00%
Exit icon
Pet advice

Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.

43.00%
69.00%
Pet medical record icon
Research a safe place to take your pets

If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.

54.00%
61.00%
Map on laptop icon
Transport options

Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.

26.00%
60.00%
Pet lead icon
If you are unable to get home

Ensure that you share your pet emergency plan with nearby friends or neighbours so they can implement the plan in your absence.

45.00%
37.00%
Person holding electronic device
ID your pet

Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.

81.00%
64.00%
Dog icon
Pack a pet emergency kit

Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.

86.00%
35.00%
Pet case icon
Identify a safe place at home

If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.

23.00%
19.00%
Exit icon
Pet advice

Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.

43.00%
69.00%
Pet medical record icon

Prepare your pet safety kit

Get Ready before the next disaster hits and pack a bag or box of necessities for your pet to last at least five days so that you an act quickly during an emergency.

Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out what you need to include.

Pet emergency kit icons
Food and water

Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.

15.00%
37.00%
Dog food icon
Medicines

Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.

19.00%
57.00%
Medication icon
Collar and leash

Collar with ID tag and leash.

16.00%
82.00%
Dog collar and lead icon
Bedding

Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.

48.00%
46.00%
Pet dog bed icon
Shelter coverage

Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.

55.00%
62.00%
Birdcage icon
Pet carrier

Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.

50.00%
80.00%
Pet carrier icon
Sanitation

Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.

76.00%
40.00%
Litter tray icon
Insurance

Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.

82.00%
66.00%
Insurance icon
Important documents

Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.

75.00%
81.00%
Pet paperwork
Assistance and service animals

Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.

94.00%
36.00%
Service dog card icon
Emergency contact list

Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.

96.00%
50.00%
Pet contact list
Toys

Favourite toys that bring comfort.

93.00%
82.00%
Pet toys
Food and water

Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.

15.00%
37.00%
Dog food icon
Medicines

Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.

19.00%
57.00%
Medication icon
Collar and leash

Collar with ID tag and leash.

16.00%
82.00%
Dog collar and lead icon
Bedding

Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.

48.00%
46.00%
Pet dog bed icon
Shelter coverage

Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.

55.00%
62.00%
Birdcage icon
Pet carrier

Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.

50.00%
80.00%
Pet carrier icon
Sanitation

Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.

76.00%
40.00%
Litter tray icon
Insurance

Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.

82.00%
66.00%
Insurance icon
Important documents

Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.

75.00%
81.00%
Pet paperwork
Assistance and service animals

Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.

94.00%
36.00%
Service dog card icon
Emergency contact list

Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.

96.00%
50.00%
Pet contact list
Toys

Favourite toys that bring comfort.

93.00%
82.00%
Pet toys
Food and water

Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.

15.00%
37.00%
Dog food icon
Medicines

Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.

19.00%
57.00%
Medication icon
Collar and leash

Collar with ID tag and leash.

16.00%
82.00%
Dog collar and lead icon
Bedding

Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.

48.00%
46.00%
Pet dog bed icon
Shelter coverage

Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.

55.00%
62.00%
Birdcage icon
Pet carrier

Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.

50.00%
80.00%
Pet carrier icon
Sanitation

Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.

76.00%
40.00%
Litter tray icon
Insurance

Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.

82.00%
66.00%
Insurance icon
Important documents

Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.

75.00%
81.00%
Pet paperwork
Assistance and service animals

Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.

94.00%
36.00%
Service dog card icon
Emergency contact list

Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.

96.00%
50.00%
Pet contact list
Toys

Favourite toys that bring comfort.

93.00%
82.00%
Pet toys

More tips from RSPCA Queensland

RSPCA Queensland provides helpful advice to some issues that your pets may face during and after Queensland's most common natural disasters.

Practicing Evacuation - Float Horse
Family pets and livestock may not always be the most cooperative when stressed during severe weather, leading to fear and anxiety.
scared dog - thunderstorms
Storms can be terrifyingly frightening and loud experiences for pets. If you can, it’s best to stay home with your pet during a storm or fireworks.
Chooks in shade - heatwave
In summer, animals need constant access to both water and shade to keep cool, hydrated and safe.
Koala Rescue
Call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) to report any sick or injured animals in need of assistance.
More tips for keeping your pets safe during severe weather
Watch Tips for keeping your pets safe in a disaster on YouTube.
Watch How to keep your pets safe in a flood on YouTube.
Watch How to care for your pets during a disaster on YouTube.