ShakeOut 2026: Have you included your pets in your emergency planning?

At 1:30pm on Wednesday 21 October, schools, businesses, and individuals across the country will be taking part in NZ ShakeOut. This is a self-run emergency drill where participants are encouraged to Drop, Cover and Hold for 60 seconds, and practise evacuating if in a tsunami evacuation zone.

SPCA is encouraging animal lovers to join more than half a million New Zealanders already registered and sign up for ShakeOut - though the official ShakeOut drill takes part on 21 October, participants can register and take part at any date and time that suits them.

Deputy Chief Executive for Emergency Management at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) John Price advises to “prepare for every paw.”

“Earthquakes don’t give us much warning, so preparedness matters,” says Mr Price. “Have a plan, practise it, and make sure it includes every member of your whānau, including your pets.”

SPCA echoes the importance of ensuring that family pets, farm animals and livestock aren’t forgotten in this planning.

“It’s so important for household plans to account for all members of your family, including any animals,” says Rebecca Dobson, SPCA Head of Community Operations.

“It would be nice to think that we might not ever need to put these plans into action – but it’s critical to be prepared. The reality is, once in an emergency situation, you may be cut off from communicating with members of your household. So ensuring that everyone knows the plan – just in case – could save lives.”

A household plan should include details outlining your designated safe meeting points, and your evacuation route.

A home survival kit should include food provisions and drinking water for your household (including pets) for up to five days, as well as medications and basic first-aid supplies. Other critical items can include a torch, batteries, a radio, a portable camping stove and canisters.

A getaway kit or grab-bag should also be placed in an easy-access spot in your home. Remember to include walking shoes, warm clothes, a rain jacket, snack food, cash, and copies of important documents.

“For pet owners, we recommend having a pet-survival kit ready to go as well,” says Ms Dobson. “And of course, one of the most critical things you can do to protect your pets is to microchip them. After the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and as we’ve seen after many other natural disasters, microchipping was a huge help in reuniting so many lost animals with their owners.”

You can ensure that your pet’s microchip details are up to date via the online animal register.

A pet survival kit should include:

• Containment e.g. a pet carrier for transporting cats and small animals, leads for dogs

• Collars for each animal including your address and contact details

• Food, treats, water, and bowls

• Paperwork including registration and microchip information, vaccination and veterinary history

• Photos of your animal, and you with your animal, for identification purposes

• Blanket/bedding

• Medications

• A basic animal first aid kit and first aid kit book, gloves

• Doggy bags, cat litter, plastic bags

If you have livestock, ensure you have a plan so they are secure and have food, water and shelter. Be aware of which paddocks can be used to move livestock away from hazards such as floodwaters and power lines.

“While a lot of households have a basic emergency plan, we want to do everything we can to make sure animals aren’t left behind,” says Ms Dobson. “If you need to evacuate, take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.”

“In the event of a natural disaster, follow the directions of your local Civil Defence and emergency services.”

ShakeOut is also a great opportunity for teachers to help tamariki learn what to do in an earthquake, and how their whānau can prepare for emergencies. Schools and early childhood centres can use the free ShakeOut resources to practise Drop, Cover and Hold, plan a tsunami hīkoi where relevant, and encourage students to think about their household emergency plans, including what their pets might need. Teachers can view the Animals and Natural Hazards lesson plan on our SPCA Teachers' Portal.

You can find more advice about planning for animals in emergencies on our website.