PetSmart Charities of Canada releases emergency pet preparedness checklist

June 19, 2024, Burlington, Ont. — A study completed by PetSmart Charities of Canada showed 90 per cent of pet owners surveyed wouldn’t leave their homes during a disaster if they could not take their animals with them.

This prompted the organization to develop a checklist to help owners prepare for evacuating with their pets during wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.

The charity released the checklist as part of Pet Preparedness Month, alongside committing to $150,000 in funding for local partners impacted by disasters.

Checklist recommendations include maintaining updated electronic and printed versions of your pet’s identification and documentation, storing emergency supplies such as food and water, and identifying animal-friendly temporary shelters.

Fire departments can find the full checklist for their communities and download an electronic version at PetSmart Charities of Canada.