The core checklist
- Food in airtight containers and bottled water, measured per animal per day.
- Collapsible bowls and a manual can opener if you pack canned food.
- Medication, a copy of prescriptions and your veterinarian's phone number.
- Medical and vaccination records, microchip details and proof of ownership.
- Current photos of each pet, ideally with you in the picture.
- Collar with ID tags, leash and harness for dogs; one carrier per cat.
- Litter and a disposable tray, waste bags, paper towels and cleaning spray.
- A basic pet first-aid kit, a blanket and a familiar toy to reduce stress.
Add extras for your local hazard
Wildfire: leave early, because roads can close without warning; pack masks for yourself and booties or paw balm against ash and hot ground.
Hurricane or flood: a waterproof document bag, extra litter because animals may not get outside for days, and a life jacket for dogs in flood zones.
Earthquake and winter storms: store carriers where they won't be crushed or buried, and add extra bedding and warmth.
Plan where you will go
Many emergency shelters for people do not accept animals. Find out now which local shelters take pets and which hotels or friends along your likely evacuation route accept them. Doing this in advance turns a twenty-minute scramble into a two-minute exit.
What a checklist can and cannot do
A checklist sizes supplies from the numbers you enter; it cannot predict your situation. Follow instructions from local emergency officials, and ask your veterinarian how to handle medications or health conditions during an evacuation.