Animal Care Services

Find a Safe Place Ahead of Time

Because evacuation shelters generally don't accept pets, except for service animals, you must plan to ensure that your family and pets will have a safe place to stay. Don't wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check pet acceptance policies. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency. Please make a list of pet-friendly places and keep it handy.

PREPARE

Build an Emergency Pet Preparedness Kit

• Food and Water. Keep several days’ supply of both.
• Medicine. Keep an extra medicine supply your pet regularly takes in a waterproof container.
• First aid kit. Include items appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
• Backup collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Have copies of your pet’s registration information in a waterproof container and available electronically.
• Travel bag, crate, or carrier for each pet.
• Grooming items. Pet shampoo and other items if your pet needs some cleaning up.
• A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet, a picture will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
• Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter boxes, trash bags, and other items to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
• Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats, or bedding in your kit to reduce stress for your pets.

Plan

Make a disaster plan for your pets

• Know what to do with your pet during an evacuation. Know a safe place to take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside.
• Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you cannot.
• Have copies of your pet’s vaccination record, and make sure your pet is microchipped. Keep your address and phone number up to date and include an emergency contact outside your immediate area.
• Keep phone numbers from your local emergency management or animal control office and shelters on hand if you become separated from your pet.

STAY INFORMED

Be prepared and stay informed of current conditions. 

Some things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family, and your pets, are the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it’s essential to stay informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies will affect your region and the emergency plans established
by your state and local government.

For more information about how to prepare, visit longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness. Sign up with Alert Long Beach to receive Emergency Notifications to your mobile phone and email address.

In case of an emergency, severe weather, or any incident impacting city operations, a text message and voice message will be sent to the cell number and email address you specify.

The full family and business preparedness website are available at the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications . 

The information available at the website includes:

• A comprehensive guide to personal and family preparedness;
• Links to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other state and federal preparedness websites;
• How to "be informed and stay connected" to get up-to-date information before, during, and after a disaster;
• How to volunteer and donate responsibly to those impacted by a disaster; and
• Best practices for families with infants, seniors, special needs, and pets.

As the City continues to enhance its emergency preparedness message, residents are strongly advised to prepare to be self-sufficient for at least five days in the event of a large-scale incident. Create an emergency plan for your home and family, put together an emergency supply kit (food, water, tools, etc.,) and make sure all of your family members know how to contact one another. Further, all residents are encouraged to sign up for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The Long Beach Fire Department conducts this free program to train the public how to become self-sufficient during major disasters.