Preparing Your Animal Companions for Wildfire Season
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Preparing Your Pets for Wildfire Season: A Simple Plan That Could Save Their Lives
Wildfire Season. The evacuation order comes faster than you expected.
You have just minutes to grab your keys, important documents, and get everyone out the door. Your dog is barking, your cat has disappeared under the bed, and suddenly the simple question, "What do I need?" becomes much harder to answer.
Every year, thousands of families face this reality as wildfires threaten communities across the country. While we often think about protecting our homes and loved ones, it's easy to forget that our pets depend entirely on us to have a plan.
The good news? Preparing for wildfire season doesn't have to be overwhelming. A little planning today can make all the difference tomorrow.
Current Events: A Reminder Close to Home
For many Southern California families, wildfire preparedness isn't just a "what if" scenario—it's happening right now. The Summit Fire in the Antelope Valley has already burned nearly 2,700 acres, damaged homes, forced evacuation orders, and threatened both people and wildlife. While firefighters have made significant progress in slowing the blaze, the fire is a sobering reminder that conditions can change quickly during wildfire season.
As communities work to recover, our thoughts are with the families, first responders, and the countless wild animals displaced from their natural habitats. It's also a timely reminder that our pets rely on us to be prepared. The best time to create an emergency plan isn't when smoke appears on the horizon—it's long before an evacuation order is ever issued.
Start Before the Smoke Appears
One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make is waiting until an evacuation order is issued before thinking about their animals.
Wildfires can change direction quickly, leaving little time to gather supplies or search for a frightened pet.
Instead, think of wildfire preparedness the same way you think about having a smoke detector or a first-aid kit. You hope you'll never need it—but you'll be grateful it's ready if you do.
Expert Insight
Emergency responders see the same heartbreaking situation every wildfire season: families forced to make impossible decisions because they weren't prepared.
Tim Perciful, Manager of Disaster Response for the ASPCA National Field Response team, offers this advice:
"As wildfire season is expected to last nearly eight months, we urge people in the path of a fire to be prepared to evacuate with their pets in a moment's notice."
The ASPCA also emphasizes one rule above all others: never leave your animal companions behind. If it isn't safe for you to remain, it isn't safe for them either.
Build a Pet "Go Bag"
Think of it as an emergency suitcase that's always packed. Include:
At least 7–10 days of food and bottled water
Medications and medical records
Leash, harness, or collar with updated ID tags
Pet carrier or crate
Food and water bowls
Favorite toy or blanket to reduce stress
Waste bags or litter supplies
Recent photos of you with your pet in case you become separated
Store everything in one easy-to-grab container so you're not searching through closets when every second counts.
Practice the Plan
Here's something many people never think about.
If your pet only goes into a carrier when it's time for the veterinarian, they may panic during an emergency.
Practice loading your pets into their carriers a few times each year. Let them explore the carrier at home with treats or toys inside so it becomes a familiar, safe space instead of something to fear.Just like a family fire drill, practicing ahead of time reduces stress when it matters most.
Don't Forget Identification
Imagine the chaos of an evacuation.
Pets can become frightened, slip out of collars, or become separated from their families.
That's why veterinarians and disaster experts recommend multiple forms of identification.
A collar with current contact information is essential, but a registered microchip provides another layer of protection if a collar is lost.
Taking a recent photo with your pet can also help shelters and rescue organizations reunite you more quickly if you're separated.
Looking Beyond Our Own Pets
Wildfire season affects more than our dogs and cats.
Smoke, heat, and habitat loss also impact birds, deer, rabbits, and countless other wild animals searching for safety.
At Animal Tracks, caring for wildlife means preparing long before an emergency happens. That same mindset can help every pet owner. Planning ahead isn't about expecting the worst—it's about protecting those who rely on us most.
Peace of Mind Starts Today
No one can predict when the next wildfire will happen. But every pet owner can take one simple step today. Pack the emergency bag.Update your pet's ID tags.
Locate the carrier.Talk with your family about the evacuation plan.You'll probably never need to think about that bag again. And if you do, you'll be thankful you prepared long before the smoke appeared.
Works Cited:
CBS Los Angeles. "Evacuations Lifted After Summit Fire Burns Nearly 2,700 Acres in Southern California's Antelope Valley." https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/evacuations-lifted-summit-fire-southern-californias- antelope-valley/
ASPCA. "Wildfire Safety: How to Stay Prepared and Keep Your Pets Safe." May 8, 2025.https://www.aspca.org/news/wildfire-safety-how-stay-prepared-and-keep-your-pets-safe
ASPCA. "ASPCA Disaster Response Experts Urge Pet Owners to Include Animals in Emergency Plans as Wildfires Continue to Threaten the Western United States." https://www.aspca.org/node/64768
ASPCA. "What You Need to Keep Your Pet Safe When Disaster Strikes." https://www.aspca.org/news/what-you-need-keep-your-pet-safe-when-disaster-strikes
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Include Pets' Needs in Your Disaster Plan."https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250602/include-pets-needs-your-disaster-plan