In early January of 2025, a series of devastating wildfires erupted in the Los Angeles region. California is no stranger to serious wildfires, having experienced many large wildfires throughout recent years. However, the latest wildfires have caused unprecedented levels of destruction for the community and its residents. Thousands of homes have been lost to the Palisades and Eaton fires, with approximately 180,000 people being ordered to evacuate. The fires, which have continued to burn for over a week, have forever altered the lives of many individuals in the community. Not only have many residents lost their homes, but so many people have lost irreplaceable possessions and priceless family heirlooms.
As the nation rallies together to offer support for those affected, this has started many discussions surrounding wildfire preparedness- particularly for those who live in high-risk areas. Wildfires are so devastating because of how fast they can spread, often with little-to-no warning. As a result, many Southern California residents were left with very little time to prepare before being evacuated.
In the midst of many emotional stories being shared online, many people have wondered: what happens to pets during wildfires? Understandably, when evacuating during a wildfire, it’s not just their own safety that many people are worried about. As most people would agree, ensuring the safety of your family and loved ones- including pets, is just as important during times of crisis.
When the evacuations were ordered in Los Angeles, many people scrambled to evacuate not just their family members- but their pets, too. Emotional videos have circulated online showing people desperately ushering their pets to safety by any means. In one case, a woman and her four dogs were heroically saved from the blaze by catching a ride in a passerby's car.
As California experiences this unprecedented wildfire, many concerned pet owners are seeking guidance for how they can protect their four-legged family members in the event of a wildfire. Afterall, during times of crisis, our beloved pets are dependent on us to ensure their health and safety. So, we are providing a comprehensive guide for how to protect your pets during wildfires, including preparation essentials and evacuation tips.
Preparing Before a Wildfire
Wildfires are incredibly unpredictable, often starting and spreading very rapidly. Thus, the most effective way to protect your pets during these emergencies is by being prepared.
Prepare an Emergency Kit for Your Pets
Many experts strongly recommend that residents of high-risk areas prepare a “go bag” in case they have to evacuate. For us humans, these emergency kits should include high-priority items such as passports, medications, and so forth. Similarly, preparing an emergency kit for your pet is crucial. One of the most important things to remember is that in the aftermath of these tragedies, resources for your pet may not be immediately available. For example, if you are ordered to evacuate your residence, you may not be able to get back to your home for some time. This means that you need to make sure that your pet’s emergency kit contains a good supply of all their essentials. The following items should be included in your pet’s emergency kit.
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Pet food (Many experts recommend that pet owners pack a 4-7 day supply)
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Medications or other health supplements
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Leashes and collars. Make sure that each of your pets’ collars have ID tags stating their name, contact information, etc in case they are separated from you.
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Copies of medical records (such as vaccines). Some pet-friendly evacuation centers may require proof of your dog’s vaccinations.
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A crate for transport. Make certain your crate has handles for easy carrying and can fit inside of your vehicle. Avoid cloth carriers or wire crates that can easily break.
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A sheet containing the contact information for your veterinarian. It’s common for cellular outages to occur after natural disasters, so you should not rely on being able to look up the contact information.
Additional Ways to Prepare
Consider Microchips. In the unfortunate event that your pet is separated from you, it’s vital that they have identification. At the very least, all pets should have ID tags on their collars that contain your current contact information. Furthermore, many pet owners are going one step further and microchipping their pets. Microchips contain unique identifiers that can be scanned by veterinarians or shelters to find the pet’s information. During emergency situations, pets are more likely to become separated from their owners, however, microchips allow for them to be easily identified and returned to their owners.
Utilize your community. Many neighborhoods throughout the U.S. are pet-friendly. In stressful times, it's common for lots of people to come together to help each other. Thus, consider depending on your neighbor’s for support in case something happens. For example, if you have a trusted neighbor, perhaps prepare a plan that you will evacuate each other’s animals if one of you is unable to make it home. There are many benefits of building great relationships with your neighbors, and in times of crisis, having someone to rely on for help can make all the difference.
How to Evacuate With Your Pets
Plan Ahead
As discussed above, preparation is key when it comes to navigating a wildfire with your pets. After preparing your pet’s emergency kit, there are other precautions you should take to ensure their safety in the event of an evacuation. This includes identifying a location where you can easily evacuate to- whether that is a relative’s home or a hotel. It’s a good idea to have multiple options just in case, and remember to verify that they are pet-friendly.
Additionally, you should also prepare a plan for how you will evacuate. This should include identifying multiple possible evacuation routes you can take, accounting for the fact that some roads may be closed.
Transport them Safely
One of the most important components of planning for an evacuation with your pets is ensuring that they are able to be safely transported. In extremely stressful situations- such as wildfires, many cats or dogs instinctively want to flee. Obviously, this should be prevented at all costs in order to keep your pets away from the imminent danger. This is why many experts recommend utilizing secure crates to ensure their safety in the midst of all the chaos. When using a crate, you have peace of mind knowing your precious pets are secure and unable to run away. Additionally, when evacuating with your pets, a crate is an effective way to safely transport them throughout the entire evacuation process. Not only does a crate protect your pet during vehicle transit, but it will also protect them when you arrive at your evacuation location. Keep in mind that many pet-friendly evacuation shelters will be filled with lots of other animals, which can understandably be very chaotic. Having a secure crate for your pets is by far the most effective way to ensure the safety of your beloved pets if you are ordered to evacuate from a wildfire.
Another tip: Ensure that your pets are familiar with the crate. Crates provide many benefits for dogs, but it’s important to allow them time to get accustomed to the crate ahead of time to minimize any stress during an evacuation. Check out this helpful guide to crate training your dog.
Stay Updated
Lastly, it’s crucial that pet owners stay informed in the event of a wildfire. If you are in a high-risk area, make sure that you subscribe to local news alerts or updates from your local police department. When evacuating with your pets, pay attention to updates on the evacuation orders, as these may affect you. While no one wants to be in this unfortunate situation, remaining proactive and aware can help you safely navigate these circumstances.
While natural disasters such as wildfires can strike with very little warning, there are ways you can prepare for these stressful situations. Proactive planning and preparedness can make all the difference when it comes to the safety of yourself and your pets. By following these guidelines on how to plan for a wildfire, you can ensure the protection of your beloved pets when they need it most.
