Keeping your pet safe during floods
When a flood warning is issued, it is easy to focus on your home and belongings but your pets need to be part of your plan too. Animals can become frightened and disoriented during flooding, and last-minute decisions about their safety add unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.
Living With Water has partnered with the Hull & East Riding branch of the RSPCA to provide guidance on how to keep pets safe during a flood. Together, we want to make sure that the needs of animals, from household pets to horses and livestock, are never overlooked in an emergency.
Preparing for a flood – before it happens
The best time to make arrangements for your pets is before a flood warning is ever issued. A few simple steps taken in advance can make a significant difference to their safety – and to your peace of mind.
- Plan your escape route in case of an emergency – and make sure it works for your animals too
- Make sure you can be contacted in an emergency
- Keep phone numbers of people who can help you move your animals
- Make sure you have suitable carriers and any other equipment you might need to transport your animals
- Keep a supply of food for you and your animals in case of evacuation
- For livestock and horses, fit any extra gates you would need for emergency access, and attach your details to all field gates
Build a pet emergency kit
Just as you would prepare a grab bag for yourself, it is worth putting together a kit for your pets. Keep it alongside your own flood kit so everything is ready to go together. Include:
- Food and water for at least 72 hours
- Any regular medications and a note of dosage instructions
- Bedding or a familiar blanket – something that smells of home can reassure a stressed animal
- A carrier or lead
- Copies of vaccination records and microchip details in a waterproof bag
- A recent photograph of your pet in case you become separated
- Your vet’s contact details and the number of a local emergency vet
During a flood
If a flood warning has been issued and water is rising, act quickly for your animals as well as yourself.
- Bring all small animals inside and, if possible, take them upstairs
- For horses and livestock, move them to areas at low risk of flooding – such as higher ground, stables, barns or temporary accommodation
- Move food, bedding and fresh water to somewhere safe and dry
- Keep familiar toys dry – animals under stress will welcome something that smells of home
Emergency support
If animals are stranded or in danger, do not attempt to rescue them yourself. Floodwater can be deeper and faster-moving than it looks, and it is not safe to enter. Stay safe and call for professional help.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Your flood plan should include arrangements for every animal in your household. Think about how you will transport them, where you will take them, what supplies they will need and who could help if you are not at home when a flood warning is issued. Our Build Your Flood Plan page has a template to help you get started.
Planning ahead is key. Not all emergency evacuation centres accept animals, so it is important to identify pet-friendly options in advance. Contact local hotels, friends or family who could accommodate you and your pets, and have that information written into your flood plan before you need it.
Try to keep familiar items – bedding, toys or a blanket – close to your pet, as the scent of home can be very reassuring for a stressed animal. Keep them in a calm, enclosed space away from rising water where possible. If your pet becomes injured or unwell during or after a flood, contact your vet as soon as it is safe to do so.
For those with horses or farm animals, advance planning is especially important. Know where you would move animals to in an emergency, make sure gates and access routes are clearly marked with your contact details, and keep emergency transport arrangements in place. The RSPCA and your local council can provide further guidance on livestock in flood emergencies.
Do not put yourself at risk to rescue an animal. If you spot a stray or distressed animal during a flood, call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 (8am-6pm) or the Fire and Rescue Service on 999 in an emergency. Trained professionals have the equipment and expertise to carry out animal rescues safely.
Yes. Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals and other contaminants that are harmful to animals if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Keep pets away from floodwater where possible, and if your animal does come into contact with it, rinse them with clean water and seek veterinary advice if you are concerned.
