Cornell Cooperative Extension is a valuable resource when it comes to questions about
managing home, farm, business, and natural resource challenges. This is especially true when
New Yorkers are faced with disaster. CCE provides evidence-based information and education
about disaster readiness and response, including specialized expertise in agriculture and
natural resources management.
Cornell University’s Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) pages include information
on how to prepare for emergencies including natural disasters, power outages, fires, infectious
diseases, radiation spills and more!
The American Red Cross website has information on how to make an Emergency Survival Kit and a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your family, as well as information on the special needs of children, persons with disabilities, and pets in an emergency.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides this 2-page list of items to include in
Saving the Whole Family: Disaster Preparedness (PDF) - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed this booklet to help you avoid having to leave your animals stranded in the event of a disaster or an evacuation.
GoKit (PDF) - This form helps pet owners to gather all of the information they need about their pets, and to help them remember to have enough supplies on hand for an emergency situation.
My Pet's Vital Information (PDF) - Similar to the GoKit, this form will help pet owners be prepared.
ASPCA Pet Preparedness - This page provides simple steps you can follow now to make sure you’re ready before the next disaster strikes.
American Red Cross Pet Disaster Preparedness - Learn how to prepare your pets for an emergency evacuation and help them recover afterward.
Pet-Friendly Hotel Finder - Find hotels that will let your pets spend the night.
Shelter Finder - Find local shelters near you.
Cold Weather Pet Safety by the American Veterinary Medical Association, covers steps to take to keep a variety of different pets safe during winter weather.
The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Pets and Disasters from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) covers steps to take to make a disaster plan and evacuation kit, sheltering in place, sheltering during an evacuation. Note: this resource includes a list of links for several national directories for pet friendly hotels, and their toll-free numbers.
Disaster Preparedness from the ASPCA that covers: preparing for disaster with your pets: How to get a Rescue Alert sticker for your home; arranging a safe haven for your pets if you must evacuate; preparing emergency supplies and pet traveling kits; designating caregivers in case something happens to you; how to prepare for evacuation; geographic and climatic considerations; plus special considerations for birds, reptiles and small animals.
Saving the Whole Family, a 16-page booklet (PDF) from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation that advises to take your animals with you if you evacuate. It includes information on preparing a disaster plan, preparing for emergencies that may occur while you are not at home, identification for your animal(s), transportation & housing issues, proof of vaccination & ownership, what to include in an Evacuation Kit for small animals, livestock, birds, reptiles and other pets; how to proceed when an evacuation order has been issued, and what to consider when you return to your home after a disaster.
Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for Pet Owners: A 2-page brochure on the ready.gov website that covers suggested contents for an emergency pet supply kit, making an emergency plan, and how to stay informed about different types of emergencies. Written by the ASPCA, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Humane Society of the United States.
Animals in Evacuation Shelters: Many shelters cannot accommodate pets; this page from the CDC covers ways to minimize health risks if animals are housed in a public evacuation shelter.
Last updated April 7, 2026