Animals in evacuation and shelter
Identification, restraint, food, medication, transport and stress management.
Critical caution: Disaster stress can change behaviour. Separate frightened or unfamiliar animals safely.
- Time
- 1–2 hours setup
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Outcome
- Keep animals controlled, hydrated and included in evacuation
Survival lens: Self-reliance includes the animals that depend on the household. Preparation must reflect real behaviour under fear, not ideal behaviour at home.
Before you begin
- Photograph each animal
- Update identification
- Practise loading and restraint before an emergency
What you need
- Leads, harnesses and carriers
- Muzzles where appropriate
- Food and water
- Medicines and records
- Waste bags and bedding
Step-by-step procedure
- Build the animal record. Keep photo, microchip, registration, vaccination, medicine, feeding and handling information in paper and offline digital form.
- Pack species-specific essentials. Include familiar food, water, bowls, manual can opener, bedding, medication, waste supplies and restraint.
- Control exits. Attach leads or place animals in carriers before opening doors during evacuation. Separate unfamiliar or frightened animals.
- Transport safely. Secure carriers and prevent heat exposure. Do not leave animals in vehicles. Plan for two large animals rather than assuming one person can manage both.
- Create a shelter zone. Separate food and waste from human kitchen and water. Provide shade, airflow, quiet and escape-proof containment.
- Monitor daily. Record eating, drinking, urination, stools, injury, coughing, vomiting and behaviour. Seek veterinary advice when available.
How to check it is working
- Each animal has two restraint options
- Food and water quantities are calculated
- A backup carer and destination are known
- Medicines are labelled with dose and animal
Common mistakes
- Releasing animals because they are normally reliable
- Changing food abruptly
- Using human medicines without veterinary direction
- Keeping frightened animals together
Sources and further reading
- Australian Red Cross: Prepare for emergencies — get packing
- Queensland Government Get Ready: emergency kit
How this guide was checked
Editorial synthesis: Editorial synthesis of animal-evacuation practice
Independent specialist review: not yet completed. How review works.
Last updated: Nov 2026 · edition 1.0.
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