Placer County ARES® supports the work or organizations like CALCART's, Fieldhaven Animal Support Team, Nevada County Animal Evacuation Team.

Have an evacuation plan for your family and your pets? Disasters can strike at any time. In our area we must be prepared to leave our homes at a moments notice. Do you have a list of the items you’d need? 

During a disaster, animal evacuation planning is crucial. Prepare an animal evacuation kit, identify safe evacuation routes and destinations, and ensure pets have proper identification and medical records. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of how to prepare for animal evacuations:

1. Planning and Preparation:

• Evacuation Kit:
  Assemble a kit with essential supplies like food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, and a carrier or leash. 

• Identification:
  Ensure pets wear collars with ID, rabies, and license tags. 

• Medical Records:
  Store vaccination records, vet contacts, ownership proof, and current pet photos with your disaster kit. 

• Transportation:
  Have a pet carrier for each animal, and consider how you will transport larger animals. 

• Evacuation Routes and Destinations:
  Plan multiple routes and identify potential evacuation sites outside the impacted area. 

• Contact Information:
  Have contact information for local animal shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinary clinics. 

• Designated Caretaker:
  If you can't evacuate with your pets, designate a friend or neighbor to care for them. 

• Practice:
  Practice evacuating with your pets to ensure they are comfortable with the process. 

• Consider Exotic Pets:
  If you have exotic pets, ensure you have appropriate carriers, food, and bedding. 

• Large Animal Considerations:
  If you have horses, goats, or other large animals, ensure you have the necessary equipment and transportation. 

2. During an Evacuation:

• Keep pets with you: Transport small animals in secure carriers and dogs on leashes. 

• Evacuate early: Don't wait until the last minute to evacuate. 

• If you can't locate your pet quickly, leave your doors and a window open, and place food and water outside . 

• Seek help from shelters and rescue groups: If you cannot care for your pet, surrender them to a local shelter or rescue organization.