Where to Take Your Pet When You Need to Evacuate
Pet-friendly shelters exist, but they are not the same as human emergency shelters
When you evacuate during a disaster, most American Red Cross shelters do not allow pets inside — only service animals. This means you cannot bring your cat, dog, bird, or other pet to the same shelter where you and your family stay. Instead, you need to know about separate pet shelters, which are run by animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics, fairgrounds, and sometimes local animal control offices.
Pet shelters during disasters operate differently than regular animal shelters. They are temporary housing set up specifically for the emergency, and they focus on keeping your pet safe and fed while you figure out your next step. Some are run by national organizations like the Humane Society or local chapters of the ASPCA. Others are set up by county animal services or partnered with boarding facilities that open their space during emergencies.
The key difference: you need to find and reach a pet shelter separately from where you go. This means planning ahead, because during an active evacuation, phone lines are often down and websites may not load.
Key Takeaways
- Most human emergency shelters do not allow pets, so you must locate a pet shelter in advance or know how to find one during evacuation.
- Pet shelters are usually run by animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics, fairgrounds, or animal control — not by the Red Cross.
- Your county animal control office or local Humane Society chapter can tell you which facilities open as pet shelters during disasters in your area.
- Bring vaccination records, a recent photo of your pet, and any medications when you arrive at a pet shelter.
- If you cannot reach a pet shelter, some hotels and motels waive pet fees during declared disasters, and some human shelters will allow you to keep pets in your vehicle in the parking lot.
How to find a pet shelter before disaster strikes
Contact your county animal control office or your local Humane Society chapter now and ask: "Where do pets go during evacuations in our county?" Write down the answer, the address, and the phone number. Ask whether the facility has capacity limits and whether you need to register your pet in advance.
Many counties publish a disaster pet shelter plan online. Search "[your county name] emergency pet shelter" or "[your county name] disaster animal services." If you find a document, download it and keep a printed copy at home. If you cannot find one online, call animal control directly — they maintain this information even if it is not published.
Some areas use the website PetShelter.org or Rescue Me Rescue databases, which list pet-friendly facilities by location. Check whether your area is covered, and bookmark the page on your phone.
What to bring when you take your pet to a shelter
Bring your pet's vaccination records if you have them. Many pet shelters require proof of rabies vaccination before they will accept your animal. If you cannot locate the records, bring any paperwork from your veterinarian that shows when shots were given.
Bring a recent photo of your pet on your phone or printed. If your pet gets separated or lost during transport, staff use photos to help reunite you. Bring any medications your pet takes daily, in their original bottles with the label intact. Bring food if your pet eats a special diet — shelters stock basic kibble and canned food, but not prescription or specialty diets.
Bring your pet's microchip number if you have one, or the paperwork showing the number and the registry company. Bring your ID and proof of ownership — a photo of you with the pet, a veterinary record in your name, or a microchip registration in your name all work.
Pet shelters during active evacuation orders
If your area is under an active evacuation order, call ahead to the pet shelter before you arrive. Ask whether they are accepting new animals and whether they have space. During large disasters, pet shelters fill up quickly, and some stop accepting animals once capacity is reached.
If the primary pet shelter is full, ask staff for the next nearest facility. They usually know which other shelters or boarding facilities are also taking emergency animals. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, drive to the facility in person — staff will be there even if the phone lines are overwhelmed.
Some areas set up multiple pet shelters during large disasters. Your county animal control office will know which ones are open. If you cannot reach them, check the county emergency management website or call the county non-emergency line and ask to be transferred to animal services.
What happens to your pet while it is at a shelter
Pet shelters provide food, water, and a safe space — usually a pen, crate, or small room depending on the facility size. Staff check on animals multiple times per day. Shelters do not provide medical care beyond basic first aid unless your pet was injured during the disaster; if your pet needs veterinary treatment, you pay for it, though some shelters have volunteer veterinarians who donate time during emergencies.
You can usually visit your pet during designated hours. Ask about visiting times when you drop off your animal. Some shelters allow you to pick up your pet once evacuation orders are lifted and it is safe to return home. Others require you to pick up within a certain number of days or they may transfer your pet to a regular animal shelter.
Keep your receipt or any paperwork the shelter gives you. It shows when your pet arrived and any notes about their condition. If your pet is microchipped, the shelter will scan the chip and contact you if you become separated.
Alternatives if you cannot reach a pet shelter
Some pet-friendly hotel and motel chains waive pet fees during declared disasters. Call ahead and ask whether they are accepting evacuees with pets. Chains like La Quinta, Motel 6, and Red Roof typically allow pets, but policies change during emergencies — confirm before you arrive.
If you are staying at a human emergency shelter and have a pet, ask the shelter manager whether you can keep your pet in your vehicle in the parking lot. Many shelters allow this and may provide water or basic supplies. Do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle for long periods, especially in heat or cold.
If you have family or friends outside the evacuation zone, ask whether they can take your pet temporarily. This is often faster than finding a shelter, and your pet stays in a familiar environment.
Preparing your pet for shelter stay
Get your pet microchipped before disaster season. A microchip costs between $25 and $60 at most veterinary clinics and animal shelters. During evacuation chaos, a microchip is the most reliable way to reunite you with your pet if you become separated. Register the chip with the microchip company and update your contact information if you move.
Keep a pet emergency kit at home: a carrier or crate, a leash, a recent photo, vaccination records, medications, and a list of your pet's dietary needs or behavioral issues. Store it in an easy-to-grab place. During evacuation, you may have only minutes to leave.
Talk to your veterinarian about your pet's stress level during travel and shelter stays. Some pets benefit from calming medication during disasters. Ask whether your vet can provide a short-term prescription you can keep on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay at the pet shelter with my animal?
No. Pet shelters are for animals only. You stay at a human emergency shelter or with family, and visit your pet during designated hours. This separation is temporary — most evacuations last days to a few weeks, and you can pick up your pet once it is safe to return home.
What if my pet has a medical condition or takes medication?
Tell shelter staff about any medical needs when you drop off your pet. Bring medications in their original bottles. If your pet needs ongoing veterinary care, ask whether the shelter has a veterinarian on site or can refer you to one. You may need to pick up your pet sooner if the shelter cannot provide the care it needs.
Do I have to pay to use a pet shelter?
Most pet shelters during disasters are free or low-cost. Some ask for a donation. Call ahead to ask about fees. If cost is a barrier, tell the shelter — many have funds to cover animals whose owners cannot pay.
What if I cannot find my pet after evacuation?
Call the pet shelter where you left your animal and ask for a description. If your pet was microchipped, contact the microchip registry company with your contact information. Check local animal shelters and post on lost pet websites like PetFBI or Nextdoor. If your pet was injured or lost during evacuation, animal control may have picked it up — call them to check.
Are exotic pets or livestock allowed in pet shelters?
Most pet shelters take dogs and cats. Some accept birds, rabbits, and small mammals. Livestock and horses usually go to fairgrounds or agricultural facilities, not pet shelters. Call your county animal control office to ask where to take large animals or exotic pets during evacuation.