Storms, flooding, power cuts and, increasingly, cyberattacks on the systems we all rely on. Most of us have felt the knock-on effects of at least one of these in recent years. When everyday services stop working, it is not just people who are affected - our animals depend on us completely to keep them fed, watered, warm and safe.
In October the government launched Be Ready, the first stage of a three-year campaign encouraging households across the UK to prepare for at least three days of disruption to essential services such as power, water, phones and the internet. Research cited by the government found that only 13% of people felt prepared for an emergency that could cut them off from those services.
The good news is that being ready does not mean panic buying. It means a little thought now, built up gradually. Here's how to make sure animals are part of that plan - whether they share your home or are in your professional care.
What the government recommends
The Be Ready checklist asks households to keep:
Water - three litres per person per day for drinking, for three days, plus extra for cooking and washing
Food - non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking or refrigeration, ideally things you would normally eat
Light, warmth and information - a torch with spare batteries (safer than candles), blankets and warm clothing, a battery or wind-up radio and a charged power bank
Money and documents - some cash in case card payments or cash machines go down, plus copies of important documents and contact numbers
Health - a first aid kit, essential medication, and a written list of regular medicines and doses
Pet products - pet food and additional bottled water
The government suggests starting with what you already have, building your supplies gradually to spread the cost, and checking them regularly so nothing goes out of date. Signing up to your utility companies' free Priority Services Register is also recommended if anyone in your household may need extra support.
Building your pet's emergency kit
The checklist mentions pets in limited detail, so here is the Alliance’s recommendations::
At least three days of your animal's usual food, in a sealed waterproof container (sudden diet changes can upset stomachs, so stick to what they know)
Extra bottled water just for your animals - remember larger dogs, horses and livestock drink far more than people, and plan with that in mind
Bowls, a manual tin opener if needed, poo bags, litter and a small tray for cats
A spare lead, collar and ID tag, and a secure carrier for cats and small animals should you have to leave your home due to flooding or storms.
Additional bedding or a blanket for warmth
Check microchip details are up to date too. If you are separated from your pet or they escape in the confusion, a chip with the right phone number is the quickest way home.
Medication: plan ahead
The Be Ready advice reminds people to order repeat prescriptions in good time, and the same applies to our animals. If your pet is on regular medication:
Speak to your vet about keeping a small buffer supply rather than running down to the last dose. Many vets need to see an animal regularly before they can keep prescribing, so keep check-ups up to date
Keep a written list of each medicine, its strength and dose, and the prescribing vet - on paper, not just on your phone
Ask your vet how to store medication that normally needs refrigerating if you lose power, and what to do if a dose is missed
Never give human medicines to animals unless your vet tells you to. Some common painkillers are toxic to pets, even in small amounts
First aid: the skills and the kit
In any emergency, getting to a vet may take longer than usual. A pet first aid kit and some basic knowledge can make a real difference while you wait. PDSA recommends a kit containing bandages, blunt-ended scissors, wound wash, cotton wool, tweezers, tick tweezers, wound dressings, self-adhesive tape and vinyl gloves. Keep one at home and a smaller version in the car or walking bag.
For pet businesses: your emergency plan
If you hold an animal activity licence for boarding, day care or similar activities, you will already be required to have a written emergency plan, known to everyone on the premises, covering things like fire, failures of heating or ventilation, and where animals would go if the premises became unusable. Be Ready is a good prompt to dust that plan off and test it against the risks the campaign highlights:
Power cuts - how will you keep animals warm, or cool, and provide light if the electricity is off for a day or more?
Water supply - do you hold enough water for every animal in your care for three days?
Cyber disruption - you don't need a duplicate filing system, just a plan for reaching owners if your booking system, email or phone goes down. Check whether your booking software keeps secure backups and lets you log in from another device, which also supports your UK GDPR duty to keep client data safe and able to be restored. For animals staying with you overnight or for several days, a short note of owner, emergency and vet contacts and any medication, kept securely and shredded when they go home, covers the gap without creating extra data to manage
Payments - a small cash float and a plan for taking payment later can keep things running smoothly
Staff and cover - who steps in if you or a team member can't get to work, and do they know the plan?
Travel - for dog walkers and mobile groomers, keep a first aid kit, water and a blanket in the vehicle and agree in advance what happens to animals in your care if severe weather stops you getting home
A plan that is clear, practical and shared with your team is one of the simplest ways to show clients you take their animals' welfare seriously.
Raising standards together
None of this needs to be done in a weekend. Pick one thing this week - checking a microchip, adding pet food to your cupboard, or printing your client list - and build from there. Small, steady steps protect the animals who rely on us.
If you are a pet professional reviewing your emergency plan, the Alliance is here to help. Members can access Primary Authority-assured licensing advice and the free Croner helpline for health and safety questions, so you can feel confident your plans are current, competent and compliant. Find out more at animalfocusedalliance.co.uk.
