Andrea P. is a resident of Pacific Palisades, California, who shares a house with his wife and their three rescue dogs — Alma, Archie, and Hugo.
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire broke out and began tearing through their neighborhood.
Andrea was in San Francisco for work, but his wife was overseas.
Their dogsitter was delayed miles away and couldn’t reach the house.
The three dogs were trapped inside as flames raced down their street.
Andrea jumped on a flight back to Los Angeles with no information about whether his dogs were still alive.
His wife, watching from abroad, spotted a CBS News reporter broadcasting near their block.
She tracked down a contact who got a message to the reporter, Jonathan Vigliotti.
Vigliotti and his producer drove to the house, which was already on its last legs according to Andrea.
The reporter broke through a window and pulled the three dogs out before the flames reached them.
Andrea told CBS News the relief he felt was unlike anything he had experienced before.
But it should not have come down to a stranger breaking through a window.
Andrea had no pet evacuation plan.
No designated caregiver nearby.
No bug out bag packed for the animals.
He got lucky because a news crew happened to be on his street.
That is the difference between a rescue story and a tragedy when it comes to your pets.
Sixty-six percent of American households own a pet.
Dogs are the most popular, followed by cats.
Yet most pet owners have zero plan for what happens to their animals when a crisis hits.
This is what you need to know about preparing your pets to survive alongside you.
Level 1 — Rookie Responder
This is the foundation.
Handle these first before moving to the next level.
Identification and microchipping: Make sure your pet has a collar with a visible ID tag that includes your current contact information.
Consider microchipping as a backup.
Food and water: Keep at least a two-week supply of your pet’s regular food on hand at every time.
Medication and first aid: Stock up on any regular medications your pet takes.
Talk to your vet about having an additional month’s supply.
Level 2 — Crisis‑Smart Caretaker
This level is about being ready to move.
Build a pet bug out bag: Pack a carrier or crate with food, water, bowls, medications, vaccination records, a leash, waste bags, and a recent photo of you with your pet.
Keep it ready to grab and go.
Practice evacuation: Most preppers build a bug out bag and think they are done.
Practice loading your pets into carriers and into your vehicle.
Run a drill with your family so everyone knows who grabs what.
Your pet should be used to riding in whatever you plan to evacuate in.
Identify pet-friendly locations: Locate boarding facilities, vet offices, and lodging along your evacuation routes that will take animals.
Not every shelter, hotel, or safe house allows pets.
Have this list ready before you need it.
Level 3 — Master of Pet Preparedness
This is for those planning for long-term scenarios where normal veterinary care and commercial pet food may not be available.
Learn basic veterinary care: Pick up a copy of a veterinary field guide and learn wound care, how to recognize common illnesses, and how to administer medication.
Plan for food production: Dogs have been fed table scraps, bread, rice, and whatever protein was available for centuries.
Train for obedience: A pet that responds to commands is a safer pet.
In a chaotic environment, a dog that listens can be the difference between containment and losing your animal entirely.
Drawbacks to pet preparedness:
Added weight and space:
A pet bug out bag adds bulk to your evacuation setup.
Carriers, food, water, and provisions for even one animal can fill an entire tote.
You will need to account for this in your vehicle and at your destination.
Shelter restrictions:
Many emergency shelters do not allow pets.
Some that do will house your animal separately from you.
This is why having your own list of pet-friendly locations is critical.
Emotional strain:
In a worst-case scenario, you may face impossible decisions about your pet.
Having a designated caregiver — someone who lives nearby and can take your pet if you cannot — lifts that burden in the moment.
If you are thinking about preparing your pets for a crisis, these are your top priorities.
Priority 1: Have a collar or microchip your pet and update your contact information.
This is the single most effective way to be reunited if you are separated.
Priority 2: Build a pet bug out bag with at least two weeks of food, water, medications, vaccination records, and a carrier.
Keep it next to your own bug out bag.
Priority 3: Identify three pet-friendly locations along your evacuation routes and keep the list with your emergency documents.
Your pet depends on you. Do not leave it to luck. Make sure you are ready.
Store everything in your “pet bug out bag.”
