Pet Preparedness

Evacuation Plan for Your Pet

For health reasons, many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. So when developing your evacuation plan, look for lodging locations that will accept pets. Third-party directories include GoPetFriendly,  PetsWelcome, and DogFriendly.

Forsyth County Animal Control is tasked with coordinating evacuees who arrive at public shelters with pets. Depending on the situation, Animal Control may take the following actions regarding housing pets:

  • Suggesting nearby kennels, shelters or veterinary clinics that will temporarily shelter pets
  • Suggesting another public shelter that has covered outside corridors or adjacent support buildings where pets on leashes and in carriers can be housed.
  • Setting up temporary pet shelters at the fairgrounds or other similar facilities

Read more about animal response in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Operations Plan.

Build an Emergency Kit for your Pet

Just like emergency kits for humans, pet emergency kits should be made under the presumption that emergency responders may not be able to get to you for 3 days. Here are some ideas of what to put in the kit:

  • Food: Several days’ supply. Put in an airtight, waterproof container.
  • Water: Several days’ supply. Store a water bowl.
  • Medicine
  • First aid kit
  • Collar (with ID tag) & harness or leash
  • Crate, carrier or traveling bag
  • Grooming items like pet shampoo and conditioner
  • Sanitation items like litter, litter box (if appropriate), newspaper, paper towels, trash bags and bleach
  • Picture of you and your pet together
  • Familiar items like toys or treats to reduce pet’s stress

Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team (PE ART)

The Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team is a volunteer organization that safely and humanely assists animals, their caretakers and local response agencies and organizations before, during and after incidents. Learn more about PEART (PDF).

Resources