Microchip: The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do

A microchip is a permanent ID that cannot fall off, cannot be removed by accident, and lasts your pet's lifetime. Microchipped pets are reunited with their families at dramatically higher rates than non-chipped pets.

Action required right now: Look up your pet's microchip registration and verify that your current phone number and address are on file. Most people chip their pets and never update the registration when they move. An outdated registration is nearly as useless as no chip at all.

Pre-Plan Your Pet-Friendly Evacuation Destination

Know this before an emergency, not during one. Options to identify now:

• Pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation routes (use BringFido, PetsWelcome, or Hotels.com pet filter)
• Friends or family outside your risk zone who can host you and your animals
• Your veterinarian — many offer emergency boarding and will prioritize existing clients
• Pet-friendly emergency shelters in your county (call your county emergency management office to ask)

Save these contacts in your phone AND on paper (phones die in disasters).

If You Cannot Evacuate With Your Pet

If you must leave without your animal — never leave them tied up outside or in a confined space with no options. Instead:

• Leave them inside with toilet lids up and several days of food accessible
• Post a sign on the door: species, count, your cell number, and a rescue contact
• Notify a neighbor, local animal control, or your humane society
• Contact your local humane society — many run emergency animal rescue operations during disasters