Emergency Response Plan
A comprehensive, actionable guide to protect animals, staff, and rescue partners during any crisis — from natural disasters to emergency evacuations.
Emergency Contacts & Urgent Hotlines
These contacts must be saved in every staff member's phone and posted visibly at all Animal Victory partner facilities. In a crisis, every second counts.
Critical Emergency Hotlines
Lost & Found Pet Recovery Registries
During evacuations, dogs and cats frequently become separated from their families. The following national registries are vital for reunification efforts.
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AKC Reunite — Premier national lost pet recovery service using microchip identification.
www.akcreunite.org -
National Pet Microchip Registry — Secure database for registering and looking up microchip IDs.
nmr.pet -
Pet FBI — The largest free database and information center for lost and found pets.
petfbi.org -
Petfinder Lost and Found — Comprehensive guides and resources to help locate missing companion animals.
petfinder.com — Lost Pet Guide -
PetLink Microchip Registry — Report found pets and look up registered microchip information.
petlink.net
Evacuation & Shelter-in-Place Protocols
Different crises require different responses. Your organization must be prepared to execute both an evacuation and a shelter-in-place plan at any time. Human safety is always the absolute priority. Once human safety is assured, the systematic care of animals can proceed, beginning with dogs and cats.
🚗 Evacuation Protocol
- Secure companion animals. Prioritize dogs and cats first. Secure all dogs with sturdy slip leads and place cats in well-ventilated carriers.
- Apply identification. Attach waterproof ID collars or bands to every animal, noting their name, medical needs, and origin location.
- Load transport vehicles. Load animals into temperature-controlled vehicles. House cats separately from dogs to minimize stress.
- Transport to designated sites. Relocate animals to pre-arranged emergency shelters, foster networks, or boarding facilities.
- Document all movements. Record every animal's transport using intake forms. Notify the public liaison of relocation addresses.
🏠 Shelter-in-Place Protocol
- Bring all animals indoors. At the first warning of an emergency, immediately bring all companion animals inside the facility.
- Secure the facility. Close and lock all windows, doors, and vents. Move animals to interior, windowless rooms to protect from debris.
- Monitor ventilation. If hazardous materials are present, shut down all HVAC systems to prevent contaminated air from entering.
- Reduce animal stress. Use crate covers, soft bedding, and pheromone sprays to keep dogs and cats calm throughout the event.
- Monitor and document. Check on animals at regular intervals. Log any health concerns and contact the Triage Team Lead immediately.
Emergency Supplies & Equipment Checklists
A pre-stocked inventory of emergency supplies can make the difference between a successful response and a preventable tragedy. Conduct a full inventory audit at least twice per year and replace any expired items immediately.
Pet Emergency First-Aid Kit
| Category | Recommended Items | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Wound Care | Sterile gloves, antiseptic wipes, bandages, cotton gauze, medical tape | Treating minor injuries and cuts sustained during evacuation |
| Medical Tools | Scissors, tweezers, digital thermometer, flashlights, syringes | General medical assessment and treatment in the field |
| Temperature Support | Blankets, cooling packs, heating pads, paper collars | Temperature regulation and rapid animal identification |
| Restraint & Safety | Nylon muzzles, slip leads, sturdy harnesses, color-coded tape | Safe handling of fearful or injured animals during treatment |
| Stress Reduction | Pheromone sprays, crate covers, familiar bedding, enrichment toys | Calming dogs and cats in high-anxiety emergency environments |
72-Hour Shelter-in-Place Supply List
Partner Networks & Relocation Planning
Establishing formal agreements before a disaster strikes is critical to securing rapid relocation options. Animal Victory encourages all rescue partners to build a robust network of emergency contacts well in advance of any crisis.
Key Relocation Partner Types
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Foster Networks — Pre-screened volunteers ready to accept dogs and cats into their homes on short notice. Maintain an up-to-date contact list with each foster's capacity and species preferences.
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Rescue and Shelter Partners — Nearby municipal shelters or private rescues that have agreed in advance to accept animals during evacuations. Formalize these agreements with a signed MOU.
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Veterinary Clinics — Local veterinary hospitals that can provide emergency medical boarding and triage support. Identify at least two backup clinics in case the primary is also affected by the disaster.
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National Transfer Networks — Large national organizations capable of transporting and sheltering animals on a massive scale when local capacity is exhausted.
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Boarding Facilities — Commercial boarding kennels that have agreed to accept shelter animals during declared emergencies, ideally at reduced or waived rates.
Key National Partner Organizations
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ASPCA Disaster Relief — Provides evacuation support, search and rescue, and animal transport during declared disasters.
aspca.org — Disaster Relief Efforts -
Best Friends Animal Society — Offers a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Toolkit and national transport coordination.
bestfriends.org — Emergency Preparedness Toolkit -
American Humane Rescue — Deploys rapid response units with rescue vehicles and emergency veterinary supplies nationwide.
americanhumane.org — Disaster Response -
Humane World for Animals — Provides animal search and rescue, transport coordination, and pet reunification support.
humaneworld.org — Animal Disaster Relief -
RedRover — Offers emergency sheltering support, standard national shelter forms, and Memorandum of Understanding agreements.
redrover.org — Community Emergency Planning Resources -
NACA Disaster Portal — National Animal Care and Control Association resources for training, protocols, and disaster coordination.
nacanet.org — Disaster Portal
Disaster Grants & Emergency Funding
Securing financial support is crucial for both immediate response and long-term recovery. Several national organizations offer emergency cash grants to help animal shelters and rescue organizations cover costs following a declared disaster. Apply as early as possible, as grant windows are often limited to 30 to 90 days following a disaster event.
Cash grants to offset immediate sheltering, veterinary care, and staff expenses following major natural disasters. Priority given to organizations serving owned animals.
Apply NowEmergency disaster relief funding for nonprofit shelter partners and municipal animal care agencies impacted by natural disasters.
Apply NowFinancial assistance for emergency response, animal rescue, and disaster recovery. Over $200 million awarded to animal welfare organizations since 2001.
Apply NowEmergency care grants providing financial assistance for urgent veterinary needs and temporary emergency animal sheltering costs.
Apply NowEmergency funding to assist shelters and rescues during natural disasters and other crises requiring urgent animal care.
Apply NowGrant opportunities supporting animal sheltering, rescue, and welfare programs including emergency and disaster response initiatives.
Apply NowDisaster relief grants supporting veterinary care and animal welfare programs for organizations responding to declared emergencies.
Apply NowGrant programs supporting animal shelters and rescue organizations, including emergency and disaster-related funding opportunities.
Apply NowShelter grants supporting dog rescue and adoption programs, including emergency capacity and disaster response needs.
Apply Now
