Emergency Planning

More than 2/3 of US households share their homes with dogs and cats with 22% being multi-pet homes. Among this, 83% of pet owners live in an area that is impacted by natural disasters but less than half (46%) of pet owners have an emergency preparedness plan for their pet.

When it comes to pet sitting, having an action plan in place for your pet sitter becomes a much easier navigation through a disaster when pet parents are away. Not only will the sitter have clear understanding of what they can do to support your home, but you will also have a better peace of mind knowing what you can expect if an event were to happen.

Animals in US Households

Pet population of dogs and cats in the United States
First Aid and CPR for Pets

Kickstart your household's emergency action plan today! Download the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Emergency Planning Guide and ensure your furry family members are ready for anything.

Paw-Paredness Checklist

Data Sources

Best Friends Animal Society. (2021). Animal welfare statistics. Best Friends Animal Society - Save Them All. Article

ASPCA. (2021, September 13). New ASPCA survey reveals 83 percent of pet owners live in an area impacted by disasters, yet less than half have a preparedness plan in place. Article

Disaster Preparedness Tips

Take the time to thoroughly review and adequately prepare for the various types of disasters that could potentially affect your local area. By doing so, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your beloved pet, providing them with the security they need during challenging times.

Click on each down arrow to review the details.

  • Recognize the different types of natural and man-made disasters that can occur in your area and know how to effectively plan for them.

  • Different disasters require different courses of action. The sooner you create a disaster plan, the more time you have to prepare.

  • Make sure your pet wears current identification at all times that includes their name, rabies tag and your cell phone number since you will not be at home.

  • Create a file for each pet that contains health history, vaccination dates and a recent photo. Keep the file in a safe and secure place.

  • If a disaster forces you to evacuate, the best thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them as well. Know where you can take your pet in the event of an emergency. Evacuation shelters and pet-friendly hotels outside a 60-mile radius of your home are good places to start.

  • Keep extra leashes, bowls, newspapers, trash bags, cat litter, litter pans and at least a five-day supply of pet food and water on hand. Be sure you have a pet first aid kit as well.

  • Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each pet. Carriers should be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

  • Make sure that the other people you rely on for your pet’s care, like your pet sitter, are privy to your specific pet-care plan in case you are away from home when a disaster strikes.

Close-up of a domestic short-haired cat with white and tabby fur, sitting in front of laptop screens in a home office environment.

Sabrina G - Fergus & Ivy’s Hooman

“Roxanne has watched our cats a couple of times and has done a great job. She's great with cats, very kind and caring. I would recommend her to anyone that needs someone to look after their kitties.”