The following are simple but important steps you can take to ensure your pet’s health and safety in the case of a personal emergency (e.g., you are hospitalized for COVID-19).

Developing your plan:

First and foremost, you’ll want to identify an emergency contact or two. Ideally, these will be people who are local — neighbors if possible — that can be activated quickly to help provide access to your home and pet(s). If you have a trusted relative who is not local but can make decisions on your behalf, ensure that they are connected with someone local who will be able to help with any immediate needs (e.g., picking up a key to your home or dropping off pet food).

You want to make it as easy as possible for someone else to care for your pet(s) if it becomes necessary; complete this checklist to prepare:

• Identify a trusted friend or neighbor to care for your pet(s) if members of your household become ill or are hospitalized, compile their contact info and keep it accessible
• Prepare a two-week supply of pet food, medications, and pet care supplies (e.g., cat litter, carrier, enrichment toys, etc.) — have as much of this packed and ready as possible
• Include copies of your pet’s vaccination records, medication schedule, and veterinarian contact information
• Include detailed care instructions, e.g., your pet’s diet, walking routines and any important behavioral notes
• Ensure your pet’s collar tag and microchip information is up to date. To register an existing microchip for free visit 24PetWatch.com or the Found Animals registry (https://www.foundanimals.org/microchip-registry/). For registered chips, address info or personal details can be updated at MyPetHealth.com.
• Print and fill out “Animals Inside” cards to put on your doors/windows to alert first responders that you have pet(s) in your home needing assistance in case of emergency.
• Give the Emergency Pet Authorization form to your emergency contact in case you need the support of a local agency (e.g. animal care and control). This form authorizes them to access your home and take temporary custody of your animals if circumstances come up that make your emergency contacts unable to care for your animals.

Now, use the information collected in the steps above to fill out the template below for all your pets.

Give this information to your emergency contact(s) and/or have it easily accessible in your home.

All members of your family/household should know where to locate this form. If possible, we recommend having a two week supply of food and medications.