Creating a Simple Pet Emergency Information Sheet

Create one accessible document

A pet emergency information sheet brings important details together when a dog, cat, or other household pet may be cared for by someone else. A clear document may help authorized caregivers and veterinary professionals find contact information, records, routines, and care instructions without searching through multiple places.

Use this pet emergency information sheet checklist as a practical starting point. Keep it easy to read, update it when details change, and remember that it supports communication—it does not replace veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional decisions.

1. Owner and emergency-contact details

Start with the people who may need to make contact or arrange care. The Government of Alberta recommends an emergency contact list that can include friends, family, kennels, shelters, and pet-friendly hotels. Add only contacts that have been identified and, where appropriate, have agreed to help.

Discuss expectations with each chosen backup caregiver in advance. Clarify who may transport the pet, collect supplies, communicate with the veterinary team, or provide temporary care.

• Primary owner’s name and contact information.
• At least one backup contact and trusted caregivers.
• Names and contact details for people who may provide backup care.
• Relevant local emergency contacts, verified before use.
• The owner’s preferred communication method and an alternate way to reach them, if applicable.

2. Pet identification and recent photograph

Identification details can help others recognize the pet and connect the pet with the correct owner or records. Keep collar and tag information current, and make sure the photograph reflects the pet’s current appearance.

• Pet’s name and distinctive features.
• Optional profile fields such as species, breed or type, and sex.
• Microchip number and registry or record location, if applicable.
• Tattoo and licence information, if applicable.
• Collar, tag, or other identification details.
• A recent photograph of the pet; a photograph showing the pet with the owner may also support identification.
• Height, weight, and sterilization information when relevant to the pet profile.

3. Veterinary and emergency-clinic information

Record both the regular veterinary contact and local emergency-clinic information. Verify numbers, locations, and current operating details when reviewing the sheet. A carrier or emergency kit can also be labelled with the owner’s contact information and the veterinarian’s name and contact information.

• Regular veterinarian’s name, practice, telephone number, and location.
• Local emergency-clinic names, telephone numbers, and locations.
• Clinic availability details, verified locally before relying on them.
• The location of current veterinary and vaccination records.

4. Health and medical records

Include copies or locations for records a caregiver or veterinary professional may need. When recording allergies or sensitivities, identify whether the information came from a veterinarian or is a caregiver observation. Add the source and date so the information can be reviewed and updated.

• Pertinent medical or surgical history.
• Vaccination history and other current health records.
• Current medical conditions documented in the pet’s records.
• Veterinarian-identified or veterinarian-confirmed allergies or sensitivities.
• The source and date for each veterinary-confirmed allergy or sensitivity entry.
• Caregiver observations, such as a suspected sensitivity, clearly separated from veterinarian-confirmed information.

5. Medication section

Transcribe current medication information accurately. This document is not a place to change a medication, dose, or schedule. If details are unclear or records have changed, ask the veterinary team to clarify the current information. Review expiration dates when preparing or refreshing emergency supplies.

• Medication name as shown on the current veterinary label or record.
• Dose and dosing frequency copied from that current label or record.
• Medication-related instructions copied from current veterinary records.
• Expiration-date checks where relevant.
• The location of the current medication supply and records.

6. Routine, behaviour, and special-care notes

Routine information can help a caregiver provide familiar care and communicate useful observations. The ASPCA identifies habits, food preferences, medical conditions, medications, veterinary information and records, and behaviour around other pets, people, and children as useful portfolio information.

• Food preferences and feeding details.
• Bathroom habits and other routine notes.
• Handling preferences and calming strategies.
• Behaviour around people, children, or other pets, as relevant.
• Escape risks and prevention reminders.
• Transport needs, including carrier or vehicle considerations.
• Other special-care requirements.

7. Caregiver instructions and decision-making information

Write down expectations that have been discussed, rather than relying on an informal understanding. Authorization and spending information should be treated as arrangements to review with the veterinarian and chosen caregiver, not as universal legal wording or a guarantee that one document will apply in every situation.

• Who the backup caregiver should contact first and how to reach the owner.
• Care tasks the caregiver has agreed to provide.
• Where supplies, records, and medications are kept.
• Transport responsibilities and available transport options.
• Care-authorization or decision-making arrangements discussed with the veterinarian and chosen caregiver.
• Spending-limit arrangements discussed with the veterinarian and chosen caregiver.

8. Evacuation and placement planning

Add options for temporary placement and evacuation planning. Policies may differ by location and may change, so contact destinations before relying on them. Confirm whether a hotel, shelter, kennel, or other placement accepts the type and number of pets involved, and check transport or refrigeration requirements.

• Pet-friendly hotels, kennels, shelters, friends, and family who may be options.
• Potential evacuation destinations and how the pet would get there.
• Carrier, vehicle, or other transport information.
• Refrigeration needs for relevant food, medication, or supplies.
• Known placement requirements.
• Local shelter, hotel, and evacuation policies verified before use.

9. Storage and updating checklist

The sheet is most useful when it can be found quickly and matches the pet’s current situation. Update it after changes to the pet’s health, medications, identification, caregivers, contact details, or routine. Verify local information rather than assuming that a number, clinic schedule, evacuation rule, or placement policy remains current.

• Keep a printed copy in the pet carrier.
• Keep another printed copy in the emergency kit.
• Give a current copy to trusted caregivers.
• Store a digital copy where the pet’s circle of care can access it.
• Review contact information, records, medications, photographs, routines, and plans regularly.
• Recheck local emergency numbers, clinic availability, evacuation rules, and shelter or hotel acceptance policies.

Conclusion

A simple pet emergency information sheet can give caregivers a shared reference for identification, contacts, records, routines, and planning. Organize it so time-sensitive details are easy to find, keep printed and digital copies in accessible locations, and review it regularly.

The sheet supports emergency communication and preparation. It does not replace veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional treatment decisions.