Emergency Pet Care Plan: Who Will Care for Your Pets?

Most of us make careful arrangements before going on holiday.

We organise someone to feed the cat, walk the dog, clean the rabbit’s enclosure or stay overnight in the house.

Far fewer people consider what would happen if they suddenly became ill, were taken to hospital or could not return home.

Who would know that your pets were waiting?

Could that person enter your home?

Would they know what your pets eat, which medication they need and how to contact your vet?

An emergency pet care plan gives a trusted person enough information to provide safe, basic care without having to guess.

It does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be clear, current and accessible.

Why this subject matters to me

The original version of this article came from personal experience.

I became seriously ill and spent two months in hospital. It was then another four months before I was well enough to walk my own dogs again.

My family, friends and fellow Scout leaders rallied around and helped with the house, shopping and dog care. I was fortunate to have people who were willing and able to step in.

However, the experience made me realise how quickly normal life can change.

When you are ill or dealing with a hospital admission, you do not want to be explaining from memory:

• which dog eats which food
• where medication is stored
• who holds a spare key
• which walking equipment should be used
• which dog is nervous around strangers
• how to contact the vet
• what should happen if you cannot return home

Writing these details down beforehand removes some of that pressure.

The quick emergency pet-care checklist

Your plan should identify:

• a primary emergency carer
• at least one backup carer
• how they will enter your home
• every pet living in the property
• feeding and water instructions
• medication and health information
• your normal veterinary practice
• the out-of-hours veterinary arrangements
• an emergency contact who can make decisions
• where leads, carriers and essential supplies are kept
• any behaviour or handling concerns
• arrangements if you are away for several days
• how veterinary bills may be paid
• where a current copy of the plan is stored

The RSPCA provides a simple emergency pet-care form that records the emergency carer, pets, temperament, urgent medical needs, the veterinary practice, and the location of essential supplies.

What is an emergency pet care plan?

An emergency pet care plan is a written record explaining who should care for your animals when you cannot.

It might be needed if you:

• are taken to hospital
• collapse while away from home
• are delayed overnight
• have an accident
• need urgent surgery
• become temporarily unable to walk your dog
• cannot return because of severe weather
• need to leave your home following a fire, flood or gas leak
• are responsible for another person’s pet when an emergency occurs

The plan should cover the first few hours as well as a longer absence.

A neighbour may be able to give your pets water and secure the property immediately. They may not be able to provide medication, several daily visits or overnight care for the following week.

You therefore need more than one level of support.

Choose a primary emergency carer

Your primary carer should be someone you trust with:

• your pets
• your home
• your keys
• private information
• emergency decisions

Ask them before naming them.

Do not assume that a family member, neighbour or friend will automatically be available.

Discuss:

• how quickly they could reach your home
• whether they can manage every pet
• whether they can walk your dog safely
• whether they are comfortable giving agreed medication
• whether they can stay overnight
• how long they could help
• whether their own pets or family responsibilities create a problem

The person who is perfect for feeding your cat may not be able to manage a large reactive dog.

The person who can walk your dog may not be comfortable handling a nervous rabbit or giving medication.

Choose people according to the actual care required.

Arrange a backup carer

Your first choice may be:

• away
• ill
• at work
• unable to enter the property
• caring for someone else
• unable to provide several days of care

Name at least one backup person.

Your emergency plan should make it clear:

• who should be contacted first
• who is the second choice
• whether either person can arrange professional care
• who can stay overnight
• who can collect food or medication
• who could transport a pet to the vet

Make sure the two carers know about each other.

This reduces the risk of people assuming someone else has dealt with the situation.

Let your emergency carer meet your pets

A name and telephone number are not enough.

Your emergency carer should ideally have met your pets before they are needed.

Show them:

• how your dog reacts when someone enters
• where your cat may hide
• how your rabbit or guinea pig is normally handled
• which door or gate must remain closed
• how the harness fits
• where carriers are kept
• how food is prepared
• where medication is stored
• which pets must be fed separately

This is particularly important for:

• rescue dogs
• nervous or reactive dogs
• indoor cats
• pets who may hide
• animals with medication routines
• multi-pet households
• dogs who guard food or objects
• pets likely to escape through an open door

Do not wait until an emergency to discover that your dog will not allow the named carer through the front door.

How will someone enter your home?

A willing carer cannot help when they cannot get inside.

Possible arrangements include:

• a trusted person holding a spare key
• a professionally installed key safe
• a secure key-holding service
• an agreed neighbour
• keys held by an existing professional pet carer

Think carefully about security.

Do not write a key-safe code on a notice displayed in the window, leave it beside the key box or include it on an easily visible sheet.

Keep access information separate from any public emergency notice.

Check that:

• the spare key works
• the carer knows which door to use
• alarms are explained
• internal doors can be opened
• communal entrances are considered
• keys are labelled without displaying your full address
• the arrangement still works if your usual carer is away

Test the plan rather than assuming it works.

What if you collapse away from home?

Someone finding you may not know that pets are waiting at your property.

Consider using:

• your phone’s emergency-contact feature
• a “pets at home” card in your wallet
• a medical-alert card where appropriate
• an emergency contact saved as ICE
• a note stating how many pets are at home
• a trusted person who knows where your plan is kept

Do not put sensitive access information on the wallet card.

The card only needs to say something such as:

I have pets at home who may need urgent care. Please contact the person named below.

Include:

• the emergency contact’s name
• their telephone number
• the number and types of pets
• your home postcode where appropriate

The emergency contact can then use the secure arrangements you agreed privately.

List every pet clearly

Do not write only “two dogs and a cat”.

Record each animal separately.

Include:

• name
• species
• breed or type where helpful
• age
• sex
• colour and distinguishing features
• recent photograph
• microchip number where known
• normal sleeping location
• usual behaviour
• hiding places
• handling preferences
• escape risks
• health conditions
• medication

Photographs are particularly helpful in a multi-pet home or if one animal escapes.

Keep recent photographs on your phone and within the emergency pack.

Keep microchip details current

Your emergency carer may need to identify or recover a missing pet.

In the UK, dogs must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. In England, owned cats must normally be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old, including cats who remain indoors.

You are responsible for keeping the registered contact details up to date. GOV.UK also confirms that dogs in public must still wear a collar and tag displaying the owner’s name and address.

Check:

• which database holds the record
• your telephone number
• your address
• an alternative contact where the database allows one
• whether ownership details are correct

A microchip is only as useful as the information connected to it.

Write clear feeding instructions

Record:

• food brand and variety
• exact portion
• feeding times
• where food is stored
• whether food needs refrigeration
• whether anything must be soaked or prepared
• whether pets eat separately
• treats permitted
• foods that must not be given
• allergies or intolerances
• what to do if the pet refuses food

Avoid instructions such as:

Give him his usual amount.

Your emergency carer may not know what “usual” means.

Write:

Feed 120g of the labelled wet food at approximately 8am and 6pm.

Use the measurements and routine that are correct for your individual pet.

Leave enough food for several days where practical, and explain what should be purchased if the absence becomes longer.

Record medication exactly

Your medication sheet should include:

• pet’s name
• medicine name
• strength
• dose
• time
• method of administration
• storage instructions
• date the medicine was started
• veterinary practice
• what the vet has told you to monitor
• what to do if a dose is missed or refused

Use the instructions supplied by your vet.

Do not create your own abbreviated directions if they could be misunderstood.

Keep medication:

• in its original labelled packaging
• stored as instructed
• away from other pets
• away from children
• somewhere the carer can find it

Do not ask a carer to change a dose, discontinue treatment or give a different medicine without veterinary advice.

Tell the carer about health and behaviour

Your carer needs to know more than the medication list.

Record relevant information such as:

• arthritis
• diabetes
• epilepsy
• allergies
• heart conditions
• urinary problems
• sight or hearing loss
• recent surgery
• dietary restrictions
• mobility difficulties
• previous heatstroke
• history of seizures
• behaviour around handling
• fear of veterinary practices
• bite history
• resource guarding
• reactivity towards dogs or people
• escape behaviour

Honesty protects your pet and the person providing care.

Do not describe a dog as “friendly once he knows you” when he may prevent an unfamiliar person from entering the property.

Explain what normally happens and how the situation is safely managed.

Record your veterinary arrangements

Include:

• normal veterinary practice
• telephone number
• address
• out-of-hours provider
• emergency hospital where different
• pet’s registered name
• insurance details
• policy number
• significant medical history
• transport arrangements

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons advises owners to understand their practice’s out-of-hours arrangements and plan how they would transport their animal during an emergency. (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons)

Ask your practice:

• who should call if you are unavailable
• how they record an authorised emergency contact
• what information the carer should bring
• how consent is handled
• how fees are paid
• what happens outside normal hours

Veterinary practices may have different procedures, so do not assume that a handwritten note will answer every question.

Who can consent to veterinary treatment?

Normally, a vet will seek informed consent before treatment begins.

In a genuine emergency, a veterinary surgeon may need to provide urgent care when waiting for consent would risk the animal’s welfare. The RCVS states that informed consent is not expected when obtaining it would cause undue delay.

Preparation still helps.

Ask your veterinary practice how it would like you to record:

• your authorised contact
• permission to discuss your pet’s history
• permission to arrange an examination
• an emergency spending limit
• insurance information
• how you may be contacted
• what should happen if you remain unreachable

A spending limit can guide the carer, but it should not be treated as veterinary instructions.

The vet remains responsible for professional decisions about immediate welfare and treatment.

Plan how emergency treatment will be paid for

Veterinary treatment may require payment or evidence of insurance.

Your plan might record:

• insurer
• policy number
• claims telephone number
• excess
• payment method
• who may authorise expenditure
• an agreed initial spending limit
• who should be contacted for further approval

Do not include bank card details in a document displayed publicly.

Store financial information securely and make sure your trusted contact knows how payment would be arranged.

The RCVS advises owners to plan for the cost of veterinary care through available funds, insurance or appropriate charitable support. (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons)

Prepare for dogs, cats and small pets differently

An emergency plan should reflect the species and individual animal.

Dogs

Record:

• toilet routine
• walking times
• suitable routes
• harness and lead
• behaviour around dogs and people
• whether the dog can be left
• feeding
• medication
• recall
• escape risks
• weather restrictions

Do not expect an unfamiliar person to provide an off-lead walk.

A simple, safe lead walk or garden toilet break may be more appropriate during the first stage of an emergency.

Cats

Record:

• feeding routine
• water locations
• litter trays
• hiding places
• carrier location
• medication
• indoor or outdoor routine
• cat-flap arrangements
• whether the cat may try to escape
• what is normal behaviour for that cat

A frightened cat may remain hidden when an unfamiliar person arrives.

The carer needs to know whether this is expected and how to confirm the catis safety.

Rabbits and guinea pigs

Record:

• normal diet
• hay location
• water arrangements
• fresh-food routine
• enclosure cleaning
• indoor or outdoor housing
• weather protection
• medication
• carrier location
• bonded companions
• signs that require veterinary advice

Small pets can become unwell quickly, and reduced eating or changes in droppings should not be dismissed.

Use a carer who understands the species rather than assuming dog-care experience covers every animal.

Keep carriers, leads and supplies accessible

In an emergency, another person should not have to search through cupboards and lofts.

Keep essential equipment in a known location:

• leads
• harnesses
• identification
• cat carriers
• small-animal carriers
• medication
• food
• bowls
• litter
• bedding
• cleaning supplies
• towels
• veterinary records
• first-aid kit

Do not block carriers behind heavy boxes.

Check that:

• each carrier closes securely
• the correct pet fits inside
• leads and harnesses are in good condition
• medication has not expired
• enough food is available
• emergency contacts remain current

Plan for more than one day

Your first arrangement may cover only the immediate emergency.

Ask what happens if:

• you remain in hospital
• you cannot walk your dog for several weeks
• your home is temporarily inaccessible
• your emergency carer must return to work
• medication runs out
• food needs ordering
• your pet needs overnight supervision
• your primary and backup carers become unavailable

Longer-term options might include:

• family care
• professional home visits
• solo dog walks
• cat-sitting visits
• small-animal visits
• overnight house sitting
• temporary boarding where suitable
• help from more than one person

The best arrangement depends on the pet.

A nervous rescue dog may cope best at home with familiar routines. Another dog may already be comfortable staying with a family member.

Prepare for evacuation

You may occasionally need to leave the property because of:

• fire
• gas leak
• flooding
• structural damage
• another emergency-services instruction

Know:

• where every carrier is kept
• how you would move several pets
• which animal is likely to hide
• where leads and harnesses are stored
• which medication must come with you
• where you could take the pets
• who could provide transport
• which nearby person could help

Never put yourself in danger trying to retrieve an animal from an unsafe property.

Follow the instructions of the emergency services.

Keep a copy in more than one place

Suitable locations may include:

• a clearly labelled folder in the home
• a secure digital copy
• a copy held by the emergency carer
• a summary on the fridge
• a copy within your pet-sitting information pack

Do not display:

• key-safe codes
• alarm codes
• bank details
• passwords
• sensitive medical information that is not needed for pet care

A public notice can say that pets are inside and name an emergency contact.

Detailed access and security information should remain private.

Review the plan regularly

An emergency plan becomes unreliable when it is out of date.

Review it:

• every six months
• when you move
• when a pet joins or leaves the household
• when medication changes
• after changing vet
• when food changes
• when your emergency carer moves
• when a key or alarm arrangement changes
• before a hospital stay
• before a holiday
• when your pet develops a new health or behaviour need

Write the review date on the plan.

Ask your emergency contact to confirm that they are still willing and able to help.

Common emergency-planning mistakes

Avoid:

• naming someone without asking them
• relying on only one person
• leaving no working key
• writing vague feeding instructions
• forgetting cats and small animals
• leaving medication without labels
• failing to mention behaviour concerns
• not checking out-of-hours veterinary arrangements
• forgetting how treatment will be paid for
• displaying security codes publicly
• leaving an inaccessible carrier
• failing to review the plan
• assuming a pet sitter will automatically be available
• expecting an unfamiliar person to manage a difficult dog without an introduction

The goal is not to create a perfect document covering every possible event.

It is to make sure a trusted person can provide safe, immediate care and arrange the next step.

Emergency pet care plan checklist

Use this checklist when reviewing your arrangements.

People

• Primary emergency carer agreed
• Backup carer agreed
• Both carers have met the pets
• Both carers have each other’s details
• Someone can provide transport
• Longer-term care has been considered

Access

• Working spare key available
• Key-safe or key-holder arrangements tested
• Alarm instructions recorded securely
• Communal entrance considered
• Carer knows which doors must remain closed
• Security codes are not displayed publicly

Pet information

• Every pet listed separately
• Recent photographs included
• Microchip details checked
• Identification details current
• Feeding instructions written clearly
• Behaviour and handling warnings included
• Normal routines explained
• Carriers, leads and harnesses located

Health and veterinary care

• Medication recorded exactly
• Medication remains labelled
• Normal vet listed
• Out-of-hours vet listed
• Insurance information recorded
• Emergency transport considered
• Veterinary authorisation discussed with the practice
• Payment arrangements considered

Supplies

• Several days of food available
• Fresh water arrangements explained
• Litter or bedding available
• Cleaning supplies accessible
• Medication supply checked
• First-aid kit accessible
• Carriers ready to use

Communication

• Phone emergency information set up where available
• Pets-at-home wallet card prepared
• Emergency contact has a current copy
• Review date written on the plan
• Personal and security information stored safely

How my Pet and Home Readiness Visit can help

You may understand that a plan is important but still find it difficult to know what you have missed.

My Pet and Home Readiness Visit in Finchley is a practical review of your pet’s routine, home arrangements, access, escape risks and emergency information.

It includes:

• a short pre-visit form
• up to 60 minutes in your home
• discussion of your pet’s normal routine
• review of access and emergency arrangements
• a personalised written checklist
• clear priorities for anything needing attention
• links to reliable animal-welfare information

This is not a veterinary assessment, behaviour consultation or professional security survey.

It is a practical second pair of eyes based on my experience of providing dog walking and home pet care since 2011.

You can also add a personalised digital emergency-information pack containing the details you provide.

Frequently asked questions

Who should be my emergency pet carer?

Choose someone trustworthy, reasonably local and capable of safely managing your pets.

They should understand the routine, have met the animals and be willing to enter your home during an emergency.

Should I name more than one person?

Yes.

Your first choice may be unavailable, so include at least one backup contact.

Should my emergency carer hold a key?

They need a reliable way to enter.

This may involve holding a key, using a secure key safe or contacting an agreed key holder. Test the arrangement beforehand and protect access codes.

What should I put on a pets-at-home card?

Include the fact that pets are waiting, the number and type of pets and the telephone number of your emergency contact.

Do not include your key-safe or alarm code.

Can my friend authorise veterinary treatment?

Discuss this directly with your veterinary practice.

Ask how it records authorised contacts, consent and emergency expenditure. In a genuine emergency, a vet may need to act where waiting for consent would risk the animal’s welfare.

Should I include a spending limit?

A limit may help your carer understand what they can arrange before contacting you or another named person.

Discuss it with your vet and emergency contact. It does not replace the veterinary surgeon’s professional duty to protect your pet’s welfare.

What if my pet needs daily medication?

Write the name, dose, timing, storage and administration instructions exactly as supplied by your vet.

Choose a carer who is comfortable and competent to provide the agreed support.

How much food should I keep available?

Keep enough for several days where practical, together with clear instructions explaining the brand, portion and feeding times.

Include details of how more food could be obtained.

Does the plan need to cover cats and small pets?

Yes.

Every animal in the property needs suitable food, water, housing, health monitoring and emergency care.

How often should I update the plan?

Review it at least every six months and whenever health, medication, food, contact details, access arrangements or household pets change.

Where should I keep the plan?

Keep one accessible home copy, one secure digital copy and a copy with your named emergency carer.

Store access and financial information separately from anything visible to the public.

A written plan gives other people something practical to follow

Nobody expects to be taken to hospital or prevented from returning home.

That is exactly why planning matters.

Choose your carers.

Let them meet your pets.

Test how they would enter.

Write down feeding, medication and veterinary information.

Keep supplies and carriers accessible.

Review everything regularly.

You do not need to predict every possible emergency.

You simply need to make sure that someone trustworthy can reach your pets, understand their immediate needs and arrange further care without starting from nothing.

For wider preparation advice, read How to Prepare Your Home for a Pet Sitter.

Professional clients can also find emergency arrangements, veterinary information and handover requirements within my Finchley Dog Walker Welcome Pack.

Related Finchley Dog Walker guides and services

• Pet and Home Readiness Visit
• How to Prepare Your Home for a Pet Sitter
• What Information Should You Leave for a Dog Walker?
• Finchley Dog Walker Welcome Pack
• House Sitting and In-Home Pet Care
• Leaving Your Dog With a Pet Sitter for the First Time
• Dog First Aid Guide
• Pet Care Services in Finchley

Veterinary and service disclaimer

This guide provides general pet-care planning information.

It does not diagnose illness, prescribe medication or replace veterinary advice. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, diagnosis and veterinary treatment are matters for an appropriately qualified veterinary surgeon.

Medication should be given only according to the instructions supplied by your veterinary practice. Ask your vet how emergency contacts, consent, and payment arrangements should be recorded for each of your pets.

My Pet and Home Readiness Visit is a practical preparation service. It is not a veterinary assessment, clinical behaviour consultation, legal service, fire-risk assessment or professional security survey.