Practical safety & support · UK

Dog emergency plan

Agree your emergency contact plan

Choose primary and backup carers who have agreed to help. Arrange safe access to the home if appropriate; keep keys/access details private. Record your regular vet, out-of-hours vet, insurer if applicable and microchip database details.

Give the carers current feeding, medication, handling and walking instructions. Confirm what they can realistically do, and arrange a short-term boarding backup. Keep an “animals at home” contact card with your own emergency information. Recheck the plan after moving, changing medication or changing carer.

Evidence: PDSA: emergency pet bag

Dog emergency information card

Fill in here and print using your browser’s Print option, or print a blank card and write on it. Entries stay in this page; Head & Paws does not submit or save them. Your browser may restore form entries. Keep the printed card private and give copies only to trusted carers.

Dog’s name / descriptionPhotographAttach a recent photograph to the printed card.Microchip / databaseFull number optional; record where the private details are kept.Regular vet and telephoneOut-of-hours vet and telephonePrimary emergency carer / telephoneBackup emergency carer / telephoneFeeding requirementsFood, amount, timing and where it is kept.Medication / instructionsMedicine, dose, timing and storage; use the vet’s current instructions.Allergies / adverse reactionsBehaviour / handling / walkingInclude bite risk, escape risk and safe handling.Lead / harness / carrier locationAccess and boarding arrangementsShare key/security details separately and privately.

Reviewed on: __________________ · Next check: __________________

Prepare for safe handling and transport

Pain can make a familiar dog bite. Keep faces and hands away from the mouth and ask the vet before handling a seriously injured dog. Never muzzle a dog that is struggling to breathe, vomiting or unconscious. Do not drag or lift by legs, collar or scruff. Ask for an appropriate supported transfer, especially for neck or back injury; a small dog still needs whole-body support without pressure on the injured area.

Keep clean dressings, gloves, saline, a towel or blanket and a suitable carrier accessible; check expiry dates and replace used items. A kit is not permission to apply tight bandages or give medicines. Keep prescribed medicines in their original labelled packaging.

Before remote outings, save the nearest suitable veterinary contact, route and an offline location reference. Plan how to summon help if there is no signal; do not attempt a dangerous rescue. With several dogs, arrange a separate secure restraint or carer for each so the injured dog can travel without crowding. Use the existing contacts and dog cards below; review them when plans change.

A proportionate grab bag

Keep a manageable bag where it is easy to reach. Check expiry dates and replace used items. Use the checkboxes as a temporary packing aid; nothing is submitted or saved.

Lead and spare lead; well-fitting harness, collar and identificationCarrier where appropriate, practised in advanceDrinking water, collapsible bowl and a small food supplyCurrent medication, prescription and clear instructions; suitable storagePoo bags, towel or blanket and a familiar comfort itemBasic dog first-aid items such as gloves, gauze and saline, plus first-aid guidanceMuzzle only where appropriate and already safely introduced; do not muzzle a vomiting dog or one struggling to breatheRecent photo, private contacts and relevant vaccination/health recordsTorch and charged power bank where useful

A first-aid kit is not a replacement for veterinary care. First-aid and emergency pathway.

Evidence: PDSA: emergency pet bag · PDSA: pet first aid

What happens to my dog if I’m taken to hospital?

Tell a trusted person or attending staff that an animal needs care, and provide the nominated carer’s details when you can. Your carer needs agreed access, food and medication instructions, vet details and safe handling notes.

Plan for an unexpected overnight absence as well as a longer stay. Agree who will walk the dog, collect prescriptions and communicate with the vet. Confirm emergency treatment/payment arrangements with the practice in advance; do not assume a contact card gives legal authority. Keep a boarding contingency if neither carer is available.

Home evacuation

Keep leads and carriers accessible near an exit. Plan transport for every pet and practise calm loading. Take pets with you when safe and permitted, but never delay a life-saving evacuation.

Check pet-friendly accommodation or trusted carers before it is needed. Evacuation centres may accept pets, but facilities and rules vary: follow local instructions. Take the grab bag only if safe to do so. Keep dogs on leads/carriers during moves and unfamiliar arrivals.

During flooding, do not wade or drive into floodwater to reach a pet. If separated, tell responders where the animal is and follow their advice. Water and flood hazards.

Evidence: PDSA: flood safety · GOV.UK: personal flood plan

Severe weather, power cuts and vehicle stranding

Keep emergency contacts available offline, phones charged and essential medicines accessible. Check special storage requirements with the vet rather than changing medication yourself during a power cut. Plan water, food and temperature comfort for a short disruption.

During a breakdown, follow roadside recovery and emergency-service instructions. Keep dogs securely restrained away from traffic; do not let them loose on a verge. Avoid leaving them in an unsafe hot or cold vehicle. If you cannot access home, activate your carer or boarding plan.

For severe weather or a local emergency, follow official warnings and evacuation directions. Travel preparation · Heat · Cold weather · Preparing for veterinary costs.

Evidence: PDSA: emergency pet bag · PDSA: flood safety · GOV.UK: personal flood plan

Related safety and support

Evidence and review

UK general guidance; local services vary. Editorial review: 1 October 2026. This guide supports practical decisions and professional advice; it cannot diagnose or replace veterinary assessment.

Report a correction.

Owner resilience and home health

Practical content enhancement: 11 October 2026. Evidence for this enhancement: PDSA: moving an injured pet