What the PETS Act Means When Disaster Strikes
The PETS Act requires emergency shelters to allow pets during federally declared disasters
The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) is a federal law passed in 2006 that changed how emergency shelters operate during disasters. Before it existed, people facing evacuation often had to choose between leaving their pets behind or not going to a shelter at all. The PETS Act requires that shelters accepting federal disaster funding must have a plan to accommodate pets alongside their owners.
This does not mean every shelter will house pets in the same room as people. It means shelters must either allow pets inside, arrange pet-friendly space nearby, or have a documented plan for where pets can go. The requirement applies only when a disaster is declared by the federal government — typically hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes that trigger federal emergency or major disaster declarations.
The law covers dogs, cats, and other household pets, though the exact definition of "pet" can vary by shelter and by state. Service animals were already required in shelters before the PETS Act; this law extended protection to regular companion animals.
Key Takeaways
- Federal shelters must have a pet plan in place, but the plan can mean pets stay in a separate facility rather than in the main shelter building.
- The PETS Act only applies during federally declared disasters, not during local emergencies or voluntary evacuations.
- You will need to bring proof of ownership, vaccination records, and supplies (food, water, medications, carriers) when you evacuate with a pet.
- State and local animal control agencies often run the pet sheltering operations, not the human emergency shelters themselves.
- Planning ahead — knowing which shelters accept pets and what documents to bring — is more useful than relying on the PETS Act during an actual evacuation.
What the PETS Act actually requires shelters to do
The law does not say shelters must keep pets in the main shelter. It says shelters that receive federal disaster funding must have a plan. That plan can include housing pets in a separate building, partnering with a local animal shelter or fairground, or arranging transport to a pet-friendly facility elsewhere. Some shelters allow pets in designated areas; others do not allow them on-site at all but have a written agreement with another organization to take them.
The requirement applies to the shelters themselves, not to the government agencies that run them. A county emergency management office cannot simply say "we do not have a pet plan" — if they are running a shelter with federal funds, they must have documented procedures. However, enforcement is weak. If a shelter turns you away with a pet during a real disaster, you may not have time to pursue a complaint, and by the time you could, the emergency is over.
The law also requires that state emergency management agencies include pets in their disaster plans. This is meant to coordinate animal sheltering across the state, but the quality and detail of these plans varies widely.
How to find out what your local shelter will actually do
Do not wait for a disaster to learn whether your shelter accepts pets. Call your county emergency management office or your local Red Cross chapter before you need to evacuate. Ask them directly: "If I need to go to a shelter with my pet, where does my pet go?" Write down the answer, the name of the person who told you, and the date. Get the address and phone number of the pet shelter or facility they name.
Some counties have a dedicated pet evacuation plan published online. Search "[your county] pet evacuation plan" or "[your county] emergency management pets." If you find a document, read it to see whether pets stay on-site, go to a separate facility, or require you to arrange your own transport. Note any requirements about vaccination records, carriers, or proof of ownership.
If you cannot find a written plan, that does not mean there is no plan — it may just not be public. The emergency management office should be able to tell you what they have arranged. If they cannot give you a clear answer, that is useful information too: it means you should plan to shelter elsewhere (with a friend, family member, or pet-friendly hotel) rather than rely on the official shelter system.
What documents and supplies to bring when you evacuate with a pet
Shelters will ask for proof that the pet is yours and that it is vaccinated. Bring vaccination records, microchip registration papers, or a recent photo of you with the pet. If you have a pet license or adoption papers, bring those too. Shelters need this information to reunite lost pets with owners after the disaster and to prevent disease spread in crowded conditions.
Pack a pet evacuation kit before disaster strikes: food and water for at least two weeks, any medications in their original bottles, a carrier or crate, a leash, bowls, litter box and litter (if applicable), and comfort items like a blanket or toy. Include a recent photo of your pet in case you are separated. Keep this kit in an easy-to-grab place, updated seasonally so food does not expire.
Some shelters will provide basic food and water, but many cannot may provide it, especially in the first days after a major disaster. Bringing your own supply means your pet eats what it is used to, which reduces stress and digestive upset during an already frightening time.
What happens if a shelter turns you away despite the PETS Act
If a shelter refuses to take you and your pet during a federally declared disaster, you have a few options in the moment. Ask to speak to the shelter manager and explain that the PETS Act requires them to have a pet plan. If they say the plan is to send pets elsewhere, ask for the address and contact information for that facility and go there directly. If they cannot tell you where pets go, ask them to put their refusal in writing with the date and time.
After the disaster, you can file a complaint with your state emergency management agency or with FEMA. This will not help you during the current emergency, but it creates a record that may push the shelter to improve its plan before the next disaster. You can also contact local media or your county commissioner — public pressure sometimes moves shelters faster than formal complaints.
The practical reality is that during an active evacuation, you may not have time to fight. If a shelter will not take your pet, your best option is to go to a friend or family member's home, a pet-friendly hotel, or a pet-friendly evacuation center if your area has one. This is why planning ahead matters more than the law itself.
Alternatives to official shelters if you have a pet
Many people with pets do not use official emergency shelters at all. Before a disaster season, identify pet-friendly hotels in your area and nearby counties. Call and ask whether they waive pet fees during evacuations and whether they have rooms available during peak disaster season. Some do; some do not. Write down the phone numbers and keep them in your evacuation kit.
Ask friends and family outside your immediate area whether you could stay with them if you needed to evacuate. Having a backup plan with a specific person is more reliable than hoping a shelter will work out. If you have multiple pets or a pet with special needs, this is especially important — shelters may have size or species limits that do not apply to a friend's home.
Some animal welfare organizations run pet-friendly evacuation centers during major disasters. These are not always advertised in advance, so after an evacuation order is issued, search "[your county] pet evacuation center" or call your local animal shelter to ask whether one has opened. These centers often have better conditions for pets than general emergency shelters because they are run by people trained in animal care.
How the PETS Act differs from what you might assume
The PETS Act sounds like it guarantees pets will be welcome in shelters. It does not. It requires a plan, not a specific outcome. A shelter can have a plan that says "pets go to the fairground five miles away" and still be in compliance, even if that fairground has no staff, no supplies, and no way to keep track of which pet belongs to which person.
The law also does not cover private shelters, hotels, or other facilities — only those receiving federal disaster funding. If you go to a private shelter or hotel, the PETS Act does not apply, though the business may have its own pet policy.
Finally, the PETS Act does not cover exotic pets, livestock, or animals kept for purposes other than companionship. If you have a horse, goat, chicken, or reptile, you will need a separate evacuation plan. Some counties have livestock evacuation resources; most do not. Contact your county agricultural extension office or animal control to ask what exists in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PETS Act mean I can bring my pet into the main shelter with me?
Not necessarily. The law requires shelters to have a plan for pets, but the plan can mean pets stay in a separate building or facility. Some shelters do allow pets in designated areas, but you will need to ask your specific shelter what their arrangement is before a disaster happens.
What if my pet has medical needs or is aggressive?
Tell the shelter about medical needs and behavior issues when you arrive. Bring medications in original bottles and a written list of any special care. Shelters may ask you to keep an aggressive pet in a carrier or may direct you to a different facility. Planning ahead by talking to your vet about evacuation options is more useful than assuming a shelter can handle complex cases.
Do I need a microchip for the PETS Act to apply?
No, but a microchip makes it much easier to reunite with your pet if you are separated during evacuation. Bring whatever proof of ownership you have — vaccination records, adoption papers, photos, or a pet license. A microchip is one form of proof, not a requirement.
What if the disaster is not federally declared?
The PETS Act only applies to federally declared disasters. If your area has a local emergency or voluntary evacuation, the law does not require shelters to accept pets. This is another reason to plan ahead with friends, family, or pet-friendly hotels rather than relying on official shelters.
Can I bring my emotional support animal or service animal to a shelter?
Service animals trained to perform specific tasks for a disability are required in all shelters, regardless of the PETS Act. Emotional support animals are not the same as service animals and do not have the same legal protection. Check with your specific shelter about their policy on emotional support animals.