Creating an Emergency Care Plan for Your Pets

Emergency care planning can protect your pets when an illness, injury, storm, or other unexpected event prevents you from returning home. A written plan gives trusted people the information they need to step in quickly.

This preparation is especially useful for Vermont pet owners. Flooding, ice storms, power outages, and sudden medical events can disrupt normal routines. The Vermont Department of Health encourages families to prepare emergency supplies that account for the needs of their pets.

Your plan does not need to be lengthy. It should identify temporary caregivers, provide veterinary information, and explain what your pets need each day. It should also be easy to locate during an emergency.

Why an Emergency Care Plan Matters for Pet Owners

A friend or relative may know that you have pets, but that does not mean the person knows how to care for them. They may not know where food is stored, which medication is needed, or how to contact your veterinarian.

Written instructions can reduce confusion. They can also help your pets maintain familiar routines during a stressful time.

An emergency care plan may be helpful if you:

• Experience an unexpected hospital stay
• Cannot return home because of severe weather
• Become injured while traveling
• Need to leave your home quickly
• Face a temporary period of incapacity

The plan should address immediate needs. It may also work with a broader estate plan that provides for your pets if you experience long term incapacity or pass away. Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC offers pet planning guidance for Vermont residents who want to provide clear care instructions and financial support for their animals.

What an Emergency Care Plan Should Include

Your plan should be practical enough for someone to use without additional explanation. Keep a printed copy in an easy to find location. You may also provide digital copies to your caregivers.

Choose Temporary Caregivers

Name a primary caregiver who lives close enough to reach your pets quickly. This person should be comfortable handling each animal and willing to accept the responsibility.

Ask the person before listing them in your plan. Discuss your pet’s size, behavior, health needs, and daily schedule. Make sure the caregiver understands whether care would take place in your home or theirs.

You should also choose at least one backup caregiver. Your first choice may be traveling, ill, or unable to reach your home during a storm.

Provide each caregiver with:

• Your home address
• A working key or safe access instructions
• Alarm codes that may be needed
• Your phone number
• The contact details for another family member
• The location of carriers, leashes, food, and medication

Consider adding a temporary care authorization. This document can state that the caregiver has your permission to seek veterinary treatment and make routine care decisions while you are unavailable. Ask your veterinary clinic what type of written permission it prefers.

Record Veterinary Information

Your emergency care plan should identify your regular veterinarian and the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

Include the clinic name, address, phone number, and normal business hours. You should also list your pet’s account number if the clinic uses one.

Create a separate information page for each animal. Record:

• Name, age, breed, color, and weight
• Microchip number and registration company
• Vaccination history
• Current health conditions
• Allergies or past reactions
• Medication names and instructions
• Feeding needs and food sensitivities
• Pet insurance information
• Preferred emergency clinic

Ask your veterinarian for a copy of important medical records. Store the records with your plan and save a digital copy that can be accessed from your phone.

The caregiver should also know how veterinary costs will be handled. You may leave payment instructions, a designated card, or another reasonable method. Never include account passwords or sensitive financial information in a place that other visitors can easily access.

Write Clear Emergency Instructions

Emergency instructions should explain what the caregiver should do in several possible situations.

Include instructions for evacuation, sheltering at home, a missing pet, an injury, and a sudden change in your pet’s health. State where the caregiver may take your pet if your home is unsafe.

Your plan should identify:

• A safe meeting location
• A possible temporary boarding facility
• A relative or friend who can house your pet
• The location of carriers and travel supplies
• Safe ways to handle a frightened animal
• Any behavior that could create a risk

Ready.gov recommends creating an evacuation plan and preparing a pet emergency kit before a disaster occurs. It’s pet preparedness guidance provides additional tips for food, water, medication, transportation, and identification.

Prepare Emergency Supplies

Store supplies together in a waterproof container or easy to carry bag. Label the container with your name, your pet’s name, and current contact information.

Your supplies may include food, bottled water, medication, bowls, waste bags, cat litter, a blanket, a first aid kit, an extra leash, and a secure carrier.

Include recent photographs of your pets. A photograph of you with each pet may also help show ownership if you become separated.

Check food and medication dates several times each year. Replace expired items and update the kit as your pet’s needs change.

Emergency Care Plan FAQs

How Often Should I Update My Pet Emergency Care Plan?

Review the plan at least once each year. You should also update it after a move, change of veterinarian, new diagnosis, medication change, or change in caregivers.

Ask your caregivers to confirm that their addresses, phone numbers, and availability are still correct.

Should My Pet Caregiver Have Access to My Home?

A nearby caregiver may need quick access if you cannot return home. You can provide a key, lockbox code, or instructions for contacting someone who has access.

Think carefully about home security. Give access only to trusted people, and update codes when a caregiver changes.

Is an Emergency Plan the Same as Legal Pet Planning?

No. An emergency plan provides practical instructions for immediate and temporary care. Legal pet planning may address who will care for an animal during long term incapacity or after the owner’s death. It may also provide funds for food, veterinary treatment, housing, and other needs.

Depending on your situation, both forms of planning may be useful. A Vermont estate planning attorney can explain how written care instructions may fit with your will, trust, power of attorney, or other documents.

Protect Your Pets With an Emergency Care Plan

A clear emergency care plan can help trusted caregivers respond quickly and follow your wishes if you cannot care for your pets. Legal pet planning may also address future caregivers, veterinary expenses, and long-term support.

Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC helps individuals and families in Essex Junction, Burlington, Chittenden County, and across Vermont include their pets in a thoughtful estate plan.

Contact Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC to schedule a consultation and learn how pet planning may support the animals who depend on you.