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Keep your pet leashed or contained when you return home — familiar landmarks and scents may be gone, and hazards like debris, standing water, and displaced wildlife are everywhere. Check your pet for injuries, restore routines as quickly as you can, and reach out to local animal organizations for food, supplies, or veterinary help; many receive emergency funding to support families exactly like yours.
How do I keep my pet safe when we return home?
Walk the property first without your pet — look for debris, chemical spills, damaged fencing, and standing water
Keep dogs leashed and cats in carriers until indoor spaces are checked
Don't let pets drink standing water — floodwater carries contaminants
Restore feeding and walk routines quickly; routine is how pets process that the crisis is over
My pet is lost — what should I do?
Start with your microchip registry — confirm your contact info is current and report the pet missing. Contact every animal shelter and animal control agency in the area (displaced pets are often transported to facilities well outside your neighbourhood), visit in person when you can, and post recent photos on local lost-and-found groups. The photos of you together from your emergency kit are your proof of ownership at reunification.
Where can I get help with pet food and supplies?
Local animal shelters, pet food banks, and community organizations frequently distribute emergency pet supplies after a disaster. PetSmart Charities of Canada issues rapid emergency grants to organizations on the ground after disasters strike, so the groups in your community may have resources ready — it's always worth the call.
How do I help my pet recover from the stress?
Expect clinginess, hiding, appetite changes, or accidents for days or even weeks — these are normal stress responses, not permanent changes. Keep routines steady, give them a consistent safe space, and be patient. If symptoms persist or your pet stops eating, see a veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
Most pets resettle within a few weeks as routines return. Persistent refusal to eat, aggression, or lethargy warrants a vet visit.
Not until standing water recedes and debris is cleared. Floodwater can carry bacteria, chemicals, and sharp hazards — keep walks short, leashed, and on cleared paths.
Start with local organizations receiving emergency relief funding, or refer to this article to locate affordable care.
