You cannot rely on emergency shelters for housing both you and your dogs because many of them do not allow pets. In case of an emergency, its a good idea to have a safe house lined up for your dog. This may be a boarding kennel or a vet, or a friends house. In the event that your safe house is also affected by the disaster, line up some alternatives, as the disaster may stretch for a few hundred miles.
Keep a crate handy, even if you dont use one on a regular basis. There are some shelters that require that your dog is in a crate, and when he is in a crate he is more secure than on a leash. When he is in a crate, make sure that he is comfortable and feed him regularly and give him treats.
Make a list of second tier alternative resources, in the event that your dog cannot come with you to a local shelter and your safe houses cannot be reached. This list can include names and numbers of friends and relatives who could board your dog, local animal shelters or animal welfare society, and names and numbers of hotels or motels that allow pets.
Your disaster kit should always be fully stocked. It should contain doggy first aid kit, medicines, extra leash and collar, emergency phone numbers for your alternate dog caretaker, your regular and emergency vet, an ID tag, grooming equipment, such as brush, comb, nail clippers, doggie shampoo, ear cleanser, a towel, cotton balls, a couple of toys, bowls for food and water and a fresh supply of food and water. If you are separated from your dog, it is always a good idea to keep an up-to-date photo of him in the disaster kit. Also, keep an up-to-date medical history of your dog with vaccine records, especially rabies. If you need to find alternate housing for him, you will need these records.
If there is a tornado, there is a chance that it will rip off your dogs collar, leaving him disoriented and without any identification. Therefore, in addition to having a collar with ID tags, your dog should either have a tattoo or a microchip with all the necessary information. If he loses his collar in an emergency, these are the permanent forms of identification that can be a lifesaver for him.
Be aware of what disasters prevail in the region where you live, and practice for them. If you live in California, you should have a safe place in the house to go to if there is an earthquake. Also, you should have a three-week supply of food and water for each family member, and make plans to meet outside in case the house structure is undermined.
If you live in Florida, hurricanes are the main disaster, and you should know that you need to hide in an interior room with no windows, and make sure that everyone can fit in this room, including the dogs. In this safe place, make sure to keep emergency and first aid supplies.
If you live in a dry wooded area where you are at risk of wildfires, make sure to have plans to evacuate from the immediate vicinity—think about how long it would take you to load your whole family and your dogs into the car. How long would it take you to get out on foot? Discuss the evacuation plan and procedures with each member of your family.
In your family, designate one person to be responsible for the dog so nobody else goes looking for him. During fire and natural disaster drills, include your dog too. Check your fire alarms once a month, and make sure to keep a towel close to your bed in case you need to cover your nose and the noses of your dogs when you leave. Make sure each room in the house has at least two exits, and make sure you can open all the windows easily. Do not ever lock the dogs crate in case he must be rescued, and do not keep dogs in an area that is hard to get to from the outside of the home.
