In the event of a disaster, animal and pet evacuation in California will be coordinated by county and local emergency management agencies. Please check with your local emergency management agency for information on pet friendly evacuation shelters in your county. Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.). It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Keep a list of pet friendly hotels in your area in case you have to evacuate and your local shelter is full.
CAL Fire – Wildland Fire Safety for Your Livestock and Pets
California Animal Response Emergency System (CARES)
The California Animal Response Emergency System (CARES) is committed to helping individuals and families plan for their pets during emergencies. CARES is an operational guidance to assist with all aspects of animal care and control in the event of a disaster or emergency. In addition, CARES provides resources for the public, for animal businesses, for shelters, and for emergency planners.
PET EVACUATION IN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness & Response
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office
Los Angeles Department of Animal Services – Emergency Preparedness for Your Pets
Disasters and evacuations can happen at any time. Be prepared and plan ahead for pet evacuation in California.
Los Angeles Department of Animal Services – Emergency Preparedness/Large Animal Evacuation
In the event of an emergency where evacuations are ordered by emergency personnel, Los Angeles Animal Services will activate evacuation sites for equines and other large animals. Various locations may be used, depending on the location of the emergency and the area to be evacuated. If there is an emergency in your area and you believe evacuation is likely, or if you have been ordered to evacuate, please contact one of the animal Shelters below to get current information on large animal evacuation sites for your area.
West Valley Center : (818) 756-9325 from 8 a.m. to midnight
East Valley Center : (818) 756-9323 24 hours a day
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control – Emergency Preparedness/Horses and Livestock
Equine Response Team (ERT) is a team of specially trained volunteers that provide emergency evacuation and temporary sheltering for horses and livestock in need of evacuation and care. Situations requiring ERT include wildfires; mudslides or other natural disasters; manmade disasters; and the rescue of large numbers of animals from inhumane conditions.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control – Emergency Response
Southern California is subject to many types of natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods. Local emergencies such as power outages, chemical spills, or other events can also disrupt normal activities. Being prepared for these situations will help you protect your pet.
Monterey County Office of Emergency Services
Monterey County SPCA – Prepare for a Disaster
The SPCA for Monterey County was the very first animal welfare agency in the U.S. to partner with the American Red Cross and shelter pets adjacent to human evacuation shelters during disasters.
San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
San Francisco County Department of Animal Care and Control – Disaster & Emergency Preparedness
San Francisco SPCA – Keeping Your Pets Safe in a Disaster
In case of evacuation, let disaster workers know that you have animals with you. Bring your pet emergency kit with your pet’s food, harness, leash, medications and bedding. During a disaster, there may be auxiliary animal shelters set up near human shelters. If this is the case and you are being moved to a human shelter that has an auxiliary animal shelter in place, you can request that your pet be housed at that shelter. In San Francisco, all evacuated animals that have not been placed with family or friends will be housed at SFACC (1200 15th Street at Harrison) until it reaches capacity. All evacuated exotic animals, small mammals and aggressive dogs and cats that have not been placed with family or friends will be housed at SFACC or across the street with the SF SPCA regardless of where the guardian is sheltered.
