PrepScore

Pets: keep them with you, fed and identifiable

Pets are family, and they're also the first thing people forget. The rule that matters most: if it isn't safe for you to stay, it isn't safe for them.

Reviewed November 2026 against guidance from ASPCA, American Red Cross, Ready.gov. Prices are typical ranges; check the live price before you buy.

New to prepping? Start with the simple 3-day kit.

Quick picks

Prices are typical ranges. Buy links are affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, PrepScore earns from qualifying purchases. Disclosure

How much you need

Food
3 to 7 daysSealed, in a waterproof container. Rotate it with your regular bag.
Water
~1 oz per lb/dayA 50 lb dog needs a bit over a quart a day. Add more in heat.
Medications
7+ daysAsk your vet about an extra supply and a written list of doses.
Records
1 setVaccinations, microchip number, vet contact and a recent photo.

When it matters

How important each item is in each kind of emergency.

All items, all emergencies
Pets importance by scenario
ItemOutageGrid downEvacuateShelterBad waterEarthquake
Pet go-kit and carrier
Stored drinking water
Document copies
Critical Important Useful
  • Pet go-kit and carrier: Many shelters and hotels turn pets away, and animals left behind can be hard to find again. Food, meds, records and a carrier let you leave together.
  • Stored drinking water: You can last weeks without food but about three days without water. Mains break in quakes and pumps stop in outages.
  • Document copies: Insurance claims, aid applications and re-entry checkpoints all ask for ID and proof of address.

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Start here

Cheap, high-impact basics everyone should own.

Collar with ID tag, plus a microchip registered to your cell number

What it is
A tag with your cell number and a chip with current contact details.
Why
Identification is how lost pets get home. Microchips only work if the registration is up to date.
Watch out
Check your registration after every move or phone number change.
$9 to $50Best for: Every dog and catCheck price on AmazonLinks to GoTags engraved ID tag (microchip is done at your vet)Affiliate link

Pet food and water, sealed in a grab-and-go container

What it is
A few days of your pet's regular food, bowls and water in one bin or bag.
Why
A sudden food change can upset stomachs, and stores sell out fast.
Watch out
Rotate dry food every few months. Include a manual can opener if you feed cans.
$15 to $50Best for: Every household with petsCheck price on AmazonLinks to IRIS airtight 10 lb food container (food and bowls separate)Affiliate link

Step up

Where most prepared households land.

Hard-sided carrier or crate sized for your pet

What it is
A secure carrier that your pet can stand and turn around in.
Why
Shelters, hotels and vehicles usually require pets to be crated. A scared animal can bolt.
Watch out
Practice with it before an emergency, so it isn't a frightening surprise.
$40 to $120Best for: Cats, small dogs and any evacuation planCheck price on AmazonLinks to Amazon Basics 2-door hard-sided carrierAffiliate link

Leash, harness and waste bags

What it is
A sturdy leash and a well-fitted harness, plus waste bags.
Why
Shelter areas are crowded and loud. Control matters for your pet's safety and everyone else's.
Watch out
Cats need a harness too. A collar alone can slip off.
$18 to $40Best for: Dogs, and cats you may need to walkCheck price on AmazonLinks to rabbitgoo no-pull dog harness (pick your size; leash separate)Affiliate link

Go deep

For long outages, big households and rural homes.

Pet first aid kit and a pet first aid guide

What it is
Gauze, bandages, tweezers, a thermometer and a pet-specific reference.
Why
Vets may be closed or unreachable for days after a disaster.
Watch out
Never give human medications unless a vet tells you to.
$25 to $60Best for: Homes far from a vet, large dogs, and farm animalsCheck price on AmazonLinks to ARCA PET first aid kitAffiliate link

How to choose

  • Find pet-friendly shelter before you need it: hotels, relatives, boarding facilities and your county's emergency pet shelter plan.
  • Keep a written list of everyone who can take your pet if you can't get home.
  • Put a rescue alert sticker on your door only if you keep it current, and list your vet's number inside.
  • Plan for livestock, birds and exotics separately. Their transport and shelter needs are different.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving pets behind in the hope you'll return in a day or two. Many evacuations last far longer.
  • Assuming a Red Cross shelter will accept pets. Service animals are accepted, but pets vary by shelter.
  • Out-of-date microchip registration or a missing recent photo.
  • Not knowing your pet's medication dose or your vet's after-hours number.

Questions

Can I bring my pet to an emergency shelter?

Service animals are always allowed. Other pets depend on your area: some counties run pet-friendly or co-located shelters, others don't. Check your local emergency management site before a disaster, and keep a backup plan with a hotel or a friend.

How much food and water does a pet need?

Plan on at least 3 days, ideally 7, of the food they already eat. For water, about 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day is a common rule. Add more for hot weather, nursing animals or dry food.

Should I microchip my pet?

A chip is a good backup, not a replacement for a collar and tag. It works only if the registry has your current contact info.

Sources

We check this guide against these sources when we review it. Read how we research and review.

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