Where to Board Your Pet When You Need to Evacuate
Pet boarding during evacuations is usually arranged through your local animal shelter, rescue organizations, or emergency management office — not through a single national system
When an evacuation order comes down, most people do not know where their pet will go. There is no single hotline or website that handles pet boarding across all areas. Instead, your city or county emergency management office coordinates with local shelters and rescues to open temporary boarding during active disasters. Some areas have formal pet evacuation plans; others set them up as the emergency unfolds. The fastest way to find boarding is to call your local animal control or the non-emergency police line and ask where evacuated pets are being housed.
Boarding during evacuation is usually free or low-cost, because it is funded through emergency management budgets or donations to shelters. You will need to bring your pet's food, medications, medical records, and proof of ownership. Shelters cannot hold animals indefinitely — most keep evacuated pets for two to four weeks before transferring them to longer-term foster care or asking owners to arrange private boarding.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local animal control, emergency management office, or non-emergency police line during an evacuation to find out where pets are being boarded in your area.
- Bring your pet's regular food, any medications, medical records, and a photo or ID showing you own the animal.
- Shelters typically hold evacuated pets for two to four weeks; after that, they may move your pet to foster care or ask you to arrange private boarding.
- Some areas have pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities that participate in evacuation plans, so ask your emergency office whether those options are available in your region.
- Register your pet with a microchip and keep your contact information current, so shelters can reach you if your pet arrives without you.
How to find boarding when an evacuation is ordered
The moment you hear an evacuation order, call your local animal control or your city or county emergency management office. Tell them you have a pet and need to know where to take it. They will direct you to the nearest shelter or temporary boarding site. If you cannot reach them, call the non-emergency police line — they have the same information and can tell you which facilities are open and whether they have space.
Do not wait until the last minute. Shelters fill up quickly during large evacuations, and some may stop accepting animals once they reach capacity. If you are told a shelter is full, ask for the next nearest location or whether any rescue organizations in the area are taking evacuated pets. Many smaller rescues open their doors during disasters even if they do not normally board animals.
If you have multiple pets or a pet with special needs, mention that when you call. Some facilities can accommodate large dogs, cats, birds, or rabbits; others cannot. Asking ahead means you will not arrive with a pet they cannot house.
What to bring when you drop off your pet
Bring your pet's regular food in its original bag or container — shelters do not have every brand on hand, and switching food suddenly can upset your pet's stomach. If your pet takes medication, bring the full bottle with the label intact, plus written instructions on dosage and timing. Bring any medical records you have, including vaccination records, allergy information, or notes about chronic conditions.
Bring a photo of your pet and proof that you own it — a microchip registration, adoption papers, or a veterinary record with your name and the pet's description. Shelters use this to reunite you with your pet after the evacuation ends. Write your name and phone number on a collar tag or piece of tape attached to your pet's carrier, in case the shelter's records get separated from your animal.
If your pet has behavioral issues — fear of other animals, anxiety, or aggression — tell the shelter staff directly. They need to know so they can house your pet safely and handle it correctly. Do not assume they will figure it out.
How long shelters keep evacuated pets
Most shelters can hold evacuated pets for two to four weeks. After that, they run out of space or funding and must move animals to other arrangements. Some pets go into foster homes run by volunteers; others are transferred to rescue organizations outside the evacuation zone. A few shelters can keep animals longer if the evacuation is still in effect, but this depends on the facility's resources.
The shelter will try to contact you during this time to update you on your pet and ask about your evacuation status. This is why your phone number on the intake form is critical — if they cannot reach you, they may assume you are not coming back and move your pet to foster care or another facility. Check your voicemail and text messages regularly, even if you are displaced.
Once the evacuation order is lifted, you can pick up your pet. Bring the same ID or proof of ownership you provided at drop-off. If your pet was transferred to foster care, the shelter will tell you where to retrieve it.
Pet-friendly hotels and private boarding during evacuation
Some areas have pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities that join the evacuation network. These are usually paid options, but they may offer reduced rates during disasters. Ask your emergency management office whether any participate in your area's evacuation plan. If you have the money and your pet does better in a quieter environment than a crowded shelter, this can be a good alternative.
If you are evacuating to another state or staying with family, call ahead to ask whether they can take your pet. Some people arrange private boarding with a trusted friend, family member, or professional pet sitter before an evacuation happens. If you have that option in place, you can skip the shelter system entirely — just make sure your boarding contact knows your evacuation plan and has your pet's food and medications on hand.
Microchipping and ID before an evacuation happens
The single most important thing you can do before disaster strikes is microchip your pet and keep your contact information current with the microchip company. If your pet gets separated from you during evacuation — lost in transit, escapes at the shelter, or is picked up by animal control — a microchip is the only way to prove you own it and get it back.
Register your pet's microchip with your current phone number and address. If you move or change your number, update the microchip registry immediately. Many people microchip their pets and never register them, which defeats the purpose. A collar tag with your phone number is also important, because shelters can call you directly without needing to scan for a chip.
Take a clear photo of your pet from the front and side, and keep it on your phone or in a folder on your computer. If your pet is lost during evacuation, you will need this photo to post on social media, send to shelters, and file a lost-pet report.
What happens if you cannot evacuate with your pet
If you are ordered to evacuate and cannot take your pet with you — because you are going to a shelter that does not allow animals, or you have no transportation — tell the evacuation officer or emergency responder. In some cases, first responders or animal rescue volunteers will help move your pet to a shelter or safe location. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.
If you have time before you leave, move your pet to a secure room with food, water, and a litter box or pee pads. Leave a note on the door with your name, phone number, and the pet's description, so rescue workers know an animal is inside. Some people leave their garage or basement door slightly open so their pet can access the space if the house becomes unsafe, though this carries risk if the animal escapes.
Do not leave your pet tied up outside or in a car. If you cannot take your pet and cannot arrange boarding, contact your local animal control or rescue before you evacuate — they may be able to help you move the animal to safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for pet boarding during an evacuation?
Most emergency pet boarding is free or very low-cost, because it is funded through emergency management or shelter donations. Some facilities may ask for a small donation, but they will not turn away a pet because you cannot pay. If you are directed to a private boarding facility, ask whether they offer evacuation rates before you commit.
What if my pet needs medication during boarding?
Bring the full medication bottle with the label and written dosage instructions. Tell the shelter staff directly which medications your pet takes and when. Write it down so there is no confusion. Shelters have staff trained to give medications, but they need clear information from you.
Can I visit my pet while it is being boarded?
This depends on the facility and the stage of the evacuation. Some shelters allow visits; others do not, to reduce stress on the animals and keep the facility secure. Ask when you drop off your pet. If visits are not allowed, ask for updates by phone or email instead.
What if I cannot find my pet after the evacuation ends?
Call every shelter and rescue in your area and in surrounding counties. Post your pet's photo on social media and local lost-pet websites. Contact your microchip company and ask them to send out an alert. Call your veterinarian and ask them to check their records in case your pet was brought in injured. Check animal control shelters daily, because new animals arrive constantly.
Should I evacuate with my pet or leave it at home?
Always take your pet with you if you can. Evacuations happen because the area is unsafe — your pet is not safer at home than with you. The only exception is if you are going somewhere that genuinely cannot accommodate animals and you have arranged boarding ahead of time. In that case, move your pet to the boarding location before you evacuate.