Pet-Friendly Sheltering Resources

Online Training

Pets in Disaster

ThelmaGranbyAndBingo

"I'm not going to leave my dog, and right now, I felt it would be safer for us both to leave."
--Thelma Grandby and Bingo

  • Emergency Pet-Friendly Sheltering and PETS Act Reimbursement, Training Session, 2018 Governor's Hurricane Conference

  • Personal Planning
    • Pets & Disasters:Personal Planning Workbook
    Pets & Disasters:Personal Planning Lesson Plan

  • Sheltering Options in Mass Evacuations
    • Pets & Disasters: Sheltering Options in Mass Evacuations Workbook Pets & Disasters: Sheltering Options in Mass Evacuations Lesson Plan

  • Should Hotels and Motels Welcome Pets in Disasters?
    • View Document

  • Identifying Community Needs and Resources
    • Pets & Disasters: Identifying Community Needs& Resources Workbook Pets & Disasters: Identifying Community Needs& Resources Lesson Plans

  • Preparing an Action Plan
    • Pets & Disasters: Preparing an Action Plan Workbook Pets & Disasters: Preparing an Action Plan Lesson Plans

  • Organizing Pet-Friendly Evacuation Shelters
    • Organizing Pet-Friendly Evacuation Shelters Training Guide

  • Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs
    • Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs Workbook Organizing Pet-Friendly Evacuation Shelters Training Guide Lesson Plan

    In-Person Training

    Florida State Animal Response Coalition (SARC) offers Awareness and Operations level classes that provide expertise and practical experience required to become a professional disaster animal responder. Both courses are certified by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.* Register for classes by visiting the SARC website at www.flsarc.org

  • Small Animal Emergency Sheltering: Awareness Level (Course code FL-003-RESP*)
  • Small Animal Emergency Sheltering: Operations Level (Course code FL-607*)
  • Train The Trainer Workshop

    • Volunteer

    The following organizations have volunteer opportunities available for emergency and pet-friendly sheltering, veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

    Florida State Animal Response Coalition
    Florida Veterinary Corps


    Reimbursement for Counties
  • The PETS Act

    • The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) provides counties reimbursement - under the FEMA Public Assistance Program - for eligible expenses associated with setting up pet-friendly shelters and transporting those pets, if needed.

  • FAQ on The PETS Act
  • Best Practices for Pet Evacuations and Sheltering