How to Prepare Your Pets for Wildfire Season

Protecting our furry friends is always a priority, especially during a crisis. With wildfire season around the corner, we’ve compiled a few ways pet owners can navigate the season with success.

Pet-Friendly Hotels

Before the event of evacuation, mark hotels along your evacuation route that accept pets in an emergency. If a convenient hotel along your route has a no-pet policy, you can always call and ask if they’d be willing to make exceptions during a wildfire crisis.

Emergency Contacts

You have yours, now make sure your pet has theirs. Make a list of veterinarians along your evacuation route that can help your furry baby should they need medical attention. Keep this list of addresses and phone numbers in your phone or in your car.

Practice Makes Perfect

It’s a good idea to practice evacuation drills with your family and pets—that way everyone feels prepared and equipped to handle stressful situations calmly. Practice putting your pet into their carrier and loading them into your car so they’ll be familiar with the evacuation process.

Emergency Kit

You never know how long it may take for first responders to subdue a wildfire, so it’s best to be prepared. Pack an emergency kit with pet essentials, such as food and water, medications, toys, potty bags, and a leash and harness.

ASPCA The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will send you a free safety pack when you sign up for their notification service. This helpful pack includes window and door stickers that let first responders know an animal resides in your home.

We hope you feel prepared to keep you and your whole family safe this summer.