The 24-Hour Dog Evacuation Checklist

Prepare an immediate-departure bag, then add an extended-stay module when an evacuation may last longer. The first bag should contain the minimum supplies needed to leave safely and care for your dog during the initial 24 hours. If officials expect a longer disruption, take the larger supply module with you rather than leaving it at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends preparing food, water, medications, veterinary records, identification, transport equipment, and cleaning supplies in advance.^[1]

Do not wait for an evacuation order to decide where your dog will stay. Many emergency shelters do not accept pets, so your plan should include a pet-friendly hotel, boarding facility, veterinary hospital, friend, relative, or animal shelter outside the affected area.^[2]

What belongs in the first 24-hour dog evacuation bag?

Pack these immediate-departure essentials in a waterproof tote, backpack, or duffel that is easy to lift. Keep it near your dog’s leash and exit door, and label it clearly. If you have more than one dog, separate essential supplies by animal when possible.

Food: At least 24 hours of your dog’s usual food in a sealed, waterproof container or resealable bags.
Water: Enough drinking water for your dog and a collapsible or non-spill bowl. Do not assume bottled water will be available at a shelter or roadside stop.
Medications: The next 24 hours of prescription medication, plus written instructions. Keep medication in its original labeled container when practical, follow the labeled storage requirements, and ask your veterinarian for an approved refrigeration plan when a medication requires refrigeration.
Leash and harness: Pack a spare leash and a properly fitted harness, even if your dog normally wears only a collar.
Identification: A collar with current contact details, rabies tag if applicable, and a temporary paper tag with your evacuation destination or alternate phone number.
Waste supplies: Waste bags, paper towels, and a few sealable plastic bags for soiled materials.
Comfort items: A familiar blanket, towel, small toy, or item carrying a familiar scent.
Basic first-aid supplies: Gauze, blunt-ended scissors, disposable gloves, and other items recommended by your veterinarian. First aid does not replace veterinary care.
Food-opening tools: A manual can opener if your dog eats canned food.

For dogs that are anxious, reactive, injured, or difficult to handle when frightened, add a properly fitted basket muzzle only if your dog has already been introduced to it positively. Do not use an unfamiliar restraint for the first time during an evacuation.

Add an extended-stay module when evacuation may last longer

The immediate-departure bag is a minimum, not a complete long-disruption supply. If evacuation may last beyond 24 hours, take an extended-stay module with additional food, water, medications, cleaning supplies, bedding, and other items your dog needs. Keep the module easy to load and adjust its contents for the number of dogs, the expected duration, and the destination’s facilities.

Additional usual food and drinking water for the expected disruption
Additional medications, stored according to their labels and with a veterinarian-approved refrigeration plan when applicable
Extra bowls, bedding, towels, waste bags, and cleaning supplies
A spare leash, harness, collar, and identification supplies
A crate or carrier if one is not already part of the transport setup
Feeding, medication, and handling instructions for anyone helping with care

If conditions allow you to return home safely, maintain a separate home reserve as well. But when you are leaving because of a developing hazard or an uncertain evacuation duration, take the extended-stay module rather than assuming you can retrieve it later.

Documents to keep in a waterproof folder

Paper records remain useful if your phone battery dies, internet access fails, or a shelter needs proof of vaccination. The CDC’s preparedness checklist includes copies of veterinary records, rabies documentation, vaccination history, medical information, prescriptions, ownership or registration records, recent photographs, and microchip details.^[1]

Recent veterinary summary
Rabies certificate and other vaccination records
Medication names, doses, schedules, storage requirements, and prescribing clinic information
Recent heartworm test result, if available
Microchip number and the registry’s contact information
Proof of ownership or adoption records
Recent photos showing your dog’s face and full body
Your dog’s name, breed or mix, sex, age, color, weight, and distinguishing marks
Feeding instructions, allergies, behavior notes, and emergency handling warnings
Contact information for your regular veterinarian and an animal hospital near your destination

Store the paper copies in a waterproof pouch. You can also keep digital copies on your phone or in secure cloud storage, but do not rely on digital records alone.

Transport equipment: make loading predictable

Keep your dog’s leash, harness, and carrier or travel crate close to the exit. The CDC recommends practicing both carrier use and car travel before an emergency, especially if your dog is not accustomed to being confined or transported.^[2]

Use a crate, secured travel carrier, or properly fitted harness and vehicle restraint suited to your dog.
Never let a frightened dog enter or leave a vehicle without a leash attached.
Put your dog’s name and your contact information on the carrier or travel crate.
Pack bedding or a towel that fits inside the carrier.
Take a short practice ride and reward calm behavior.
Identify a second person who can transport your dog if you are away or injured.

Do not place your dog loose in a crowded vehicle during an evacuation. Sudden braking, open doors, unfamiliar locations, and panic can increase the risk of escape or injury.

Build the larger home reserve

Your 24-hour bag is for immediate departure. Your home reserve is for delays, sheltering in place, road closures, or a temporary shortage of pet supplies. If an evacuation may last longer, convert or supplement this reserve into the extended-stay module and take it with your dog. The CDC recommends storing a two-week supply of food, water, and applicable medications for each animal, along with a one-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventive.^[1]

Supply	What to prepare	Where to keep it
Food	Usual diet plus feeding instructions	Waterproof container, rotated by expiration date
Water	Two-week reserve for your dog	Separate from chemicals and protected from heat
Medication	Two-week supply when possible	According to labeled storage requirements; use a veterinarian-approved refrigeration plan when applicable
Preventives	Flea, tick, and heartworm products as directed by your veterinarian	Original packaging and labeled storage conditions
Cleaning supplies	Waste bags, paper towels, disinfectant, and laundry bags	In a separate, secure location away from food and water

Rotate food, water, and medications into normal household use before they expire, then replace them. Keep your dog’s routine diet whenever possible; a sudden food change during a stressful event can create additional problems. Store disinfectant and other chemicals separately from food and water.

Make the evacuation plan before you need it

Write down at least two destinations in different directions from your home. Confirm that each one accepts dogs and ask about vaccination requirements, crate rules, deposits, and availability during severe weather. The ASPCA also recommends keeping a ready “go bag,” current identification, medical information, food, water, medication, carriers, and familiar items for pets.^[3]

Choose a primary destination: This might be a pet-friendly hotel, friend, relative, boarding facility, or veterinary hospital.
Choose a backup destination: Select an option outside the same likely hazard area.
Plan transportation: Decide who will drive, where your dog will ride, and what happens if your usual vehicle is unavailable.
Assign a pet-care backup: Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to evacuate your dog if you are not home.
Set a family meeting point: Everyone should know where to meet and who is responsible for the dog.
Practice: Load the dog, immediate-departure bag, extended-stay module, records, and crate once or twice so the sequence is familiar.

Keep your dog’s microchip registration and collar information current. A microchip only helps reunite you with your dog if the registration details are accurate. After an emergency, use a leash or carrier outdoors because familiar landmarks and scents may have changed and frightened pets can become disoriented.^[2]

Quick checklist before leaving

Dog is wearing a collar with current identification.
Leash, harness, and carrier or travel crate are ready.
Immediate-departure bag is loaded.
Extended-stay module is loaded if the evacuation may last longer than 24 hours.
Food, water, and medications are packed and stored appropriately.
Waterproof records folder is packed.
Destination has been confirmed as dog-friendly.
Vehicle restraint is ready.
Doors and gates are checked before opening the front door.
Someone knows your destination and contact number.

Use two labeled containers: “TAKE FIRST” for the immediate-departure bag, records, leash, and medications; and “EXTENDED STAY” for additional food, water, bedding, cleaning supplies, and other longer-disruption needs. Maintain a separate “HOME RESERVE” only when you can leave it safely; during an evacuation, take the extended-stay supplies with you rather than assuming you can return.

When to ask your veterinarian for help

Ask your veterinarian to review medication instructions, storage requirements, refrigeration needs, medical records, feeding directions, parasite prevention, and any special handling needs. If your dog has a medical condition, mobility limitation, severe anxiety, or a history of escaping, your veterinarian can help you make the transport plan more specific. Do not give a sedative or other medication for travel unless it has been prescribed and explained for your dog.

Pet health note: General information only. It does not replace an examination, diagnosis or treatment plan from your veterinarian.