Finding Pet Care and Support After a Disaster
Where to start when you need help for your pet right after a disaster
The first place to contact is your local animal shelter or animal control office — they often run emergency pet services during and immediately after a disaster and can tell you what is available in your area right now. If your area has a dedicated animal rescue organization, they may be running a hotline or emergency shelter. Call 211 (the community information line) and say "pet disaster help" — they maintain lists of active services by location and can connect you within minutes.
If you cannot reach local services, the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA both maintain disaster response networks and can direct you to organizations working in your specific area. Have your location and your pet's basic information ready when you call: species, size, any medical needs, and whether your pet is currently with you or separated from you.
Key Takeaways
- Your local animal shelter, animal control, or 211 can tell you which pet services are running in your area and whether they have space or supplies available.
- Many disasters trigger temporary pet shelters, foster networks, and supply distribution — but these operate only while funding and volunteers are available, so timing matters.
- If your pet is separated from you, register them with the Petco Love Lost database and your local shelter immediately, and search local social media groups and Craigslist lost-and-found sections.
- Pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics may offer reduced rates or payment plans during disaster recovery — ask directly rather than assuming standard pricing applies.
- FEMA and some state disaster programs reimburse pet care costs after certain disasters, but you will need receipts and proof of loss, so keep documentation of everything you spend.
Emergency pet shelters and temporary foster networks
Many disasters trigger temporary pet shelters run by animal rescue organizations, often with support from national groups like Best Friends Animal Society or local Humane Society chapters. These shelters typically offer free or low-cost boarding for pets whose owners are displaced, and they can provide basic medical care and food. The catch is that they fill quickly and operate only as long as funding and volunteers hold out — some close within weeks.
Foster networks work differently: volunteers open their homes to take in pets temporarily, which frees up shelter space and keeps animals in a home environment. If a shelter is full, they may place your pet with a foster family. You will need to provide your pet's food preferences, medical history, and any behavioral notes so the foster caregiver can manage them properly.
To find these services, start with your local animal shelter's website or call their main line and ask what disaster services they are running. If they are overwhelmed, they will direct you to partner organizations. Many post updates on Facebook or their website about current capacity and what they need (food donations, supplies, foster homes).
Finding your pet if you are separated
Register your pet with the Petco Love Lost database and your local animal shelter's lost-pet system immediately — do not wait. Provide a photo, description, and the last location where you saw your pet. Many shelters scan found animals for microchips, so if your pet is microchipped, make sure the microchip company has your current contact information.
Search local social media groups dedicated to lost pets in your area — most neighborhoods have Facebook groups specifically for lost-and-found animals, and they are often more active than official channels during disasters. Post a clear photo and your contact number. Check Craigslist's lost-and-found section for your area daily. Call local veterinary clinics and ask if they have seen your pet or if they are holding animals for owners who cannot be reached.
If your pet was in a carrier or crate during the disaster, search the area where you last had them — pets often hide nearby rather than roaming far. Ask neighbors, delivery drivers, and utility workers who are in the area. Some disaster response organizations send volunteers door-to-door and can help search.
Getting pet food, medicine, and supplies during recovery
Animal rescue organizations and food banks often distribute pet food and supplies during disaster recovery, especially if human food banks are also operating in your area. Call your local animal shelter or 211 to ask what distribution sites are open and what they have in stock. Bring proof of residency and information about your pet (species, size, any dietary restrictions or allergies).
If your pet takes prescription medication and you lost your supply, contact the veterinary clinic that prescribed it — many will provide emergency refills or a short-term supply while you rebuild your records. If you do not know which clinic, call animal shelters in your area; they often have relationships with local vets who help during disasters.
Pet supply stores sometimes offer discounts or donation programs during declared disasters — call ahead and ask. Some will also hold supplies if you cannot pay immediately and work out a payment plan once you have access to funds.
Veterinary care when clinics are damaged or closed
If your regular veterinary clinic is damaged or closed, call their main line — they usually have a voicemail message directing you to an emergency clinic or partner facility. Many vets coordinate with colleagues in unaffected areas to handle overflow patients. If you cannot reach your clinic, call animal shelters or 211 and ask for emergency veterinary services in your area.
Emergency veterinary clinics typically charge more than regular clinics, but many offer payment plans or reduced rates during declared disasters. Ask about this when you call. If your pet needs urgent care and you cannot pay, tell the clinic — some have emergency funds or can connect you with organizations that help pay veterinary bills.
Bring any medical records you have, even if they are incomplete. If you lost all records, tell the vet what you remember about your pet's medical history, medications, and allergies. They can work with incomplete information if they know what gaps exist.
Reimbursement and financial help for pet care costs
FEMA does not directly reimburse pet care, but some state disaster assistance programs do cover pet-related expenses after certain disasters — this varies by state and by the type of disaster. Check your state's emergency management agency website or call 211 to ask whether pet care costs are covered under the current disaster declaration.
Keep receipts for everything: boarding, food, veterinary care, supplies, and transportation. If reimbursement becomes available, you will need to show what you spent and prove it was disaster-related. Take photos of damaged pet supplies or equipment if you can.
Some animal welfare organizations offer emergency grants or low-interest loans for disaster-related pet care. The Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society both maintain lists of these programs. You can also search for breed-specific rescue organizations — many have emergency funds for their breed during disasters.
Pet-friendly housing and temporary relocation
If you need temporary housing after a disaster, ask about pet policies before you book. Many hotels waive or reduce pet fees during declared disasters, and some offer extended stays at reduced rates. Call directly rather than booking online — the person on the phone can tell you what flexibility they have.
If you cannot find pet-friendly housing, some disaster response organizations help place people and pets together. Call 211 or your local animal shelter and ask if they know of temporary housing that accepts pets. Some communities set up pet-friendly shelters specifically for this reason.
If you are staying with family or friends temporarily, be clear about your pet's needs and timeline. Offer to contribute to food and utilities, and have a plan for when you will move to permanent housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if my pet is injured and I cannot afford emergency veterinary care?
Tell the emergency clinic you are a disaster victim and ask about payment plans or emergency assistance funds. Some clinics have relationships with animal welfare organizations that help pay bills. Call the Humane Society of the United States or Best Friends Animal Society and ask if they know of funds available in your area.
Can I bring my pet to a human emergency shelter?
Most human emergency shelters do not allow pets, but many communities set up separate pet-friendly shelters or partner with animal rescues to provide pet boarding for people in human shelters. Ask the shelter staff when you arrive — they will know what pet services are available nearby.
How long do temporary pet shelters stay open after a disaster?
This varies widely depending on funding and volunteer availability. Some close within weeks, others stay open for months. Ask the shelter directly how long they expect to operate and what happens to pets if they close before you can reclaim yours.
What if I cannot find my pet after several weeks?
Keep your pet registered in lost-pet databases and check them regularly — animals are found months after disasters. Continue posting in local social media groups. Some rescue organizations specialize in finding lost disaster pets and can help with search strategies.
Do I need my pet's microchip number to register them as lost?
No — you can register a lost pet without a microchip number. But if your pet is microchipped, make sure the microchip company has your current phone number and address so they can contact you if someone scans your pet.