Plan for your pets and other animals Hanga mahere mō ō mōkai me ērā atu kararehe

Your animals are your responsibility. You need to include them in your emergency planning and preparation.

• Store have enough food, water and supplies for your animals for three days or more. Remember that animals often drink more water than usual when under stress.
• Make sure you microchip your pets. Register them with your vet and the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR). Keep these details up to date and include details for an out-of-region contact. 
• Review your pet insurance policy to see if it covers emergencies.
• If you need to evacuate, take your assistance animals and pets with you. If it's not safe for you, it's not safe for them. Make sure your evacuation place will take your pets. Or have contact details for kennels, catteries and pet friendly motels.

Assistance animals

Assistance animals are trained and certified by an organisation. They provide important services such as alerting or provide support. They are legally allowed into any public space. You might need permission to enter a marae or a church. 

Legally, you can’t be separated from your assistance/guide dog. This includes at places giving support in an emergency, like Civil Defence Centres. 

Your dog’s certifying organisation will give your dog a coat to wear with the organisation’s name on it and some form of identification for you. This can help to quickly reunite you and your dog if you are separated. 

• Make sure your animal is wearing their coat or identification if possible. You do not need identification to get support or enter a Civil Defence Centre. 
• Make sure you have your assistance animal identification card with you and a second form of identification like a letter from your organisation if possible. 
• Ask your certifying organisation how to contact them after an emergency and what support they provide. 
• Make sure you have a current photograph of you and your animal in case you get separated.