Building Public – Private Partnerships
Animal Rescue
ARCNetUSA's Partnership with the Veterinary Community
Weekly App Videos Delivering Pet Family Preparedness Tips
“ARCNetUSA trains communities to protect every member — including their four legged Fur Buddies.”
When disaster strikes, pets can't pack a bag, call for help, or find their way home alone — they depend entirely on the people who love them. ARCNetUSA partners with the veterinary community to deliver actionable, weekly preparedness guidance through the ARCNetUSA app, equipping every pet owner with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect their animals before the next emergency arrives.
"Everyone Is an Immediate First Responder" — and that responsibility extends to every member of your household, including the four-legged ones.
“In every disaster, the animals left behind are the ones whose owners weren't prepared.”
If it's not safe for you to stay — it's not safe for them either.
Assemble an Emergency Kit for Your Pet Family!
In an emergency, your pets will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. Your family's disaster plans must include your furry family members too. Learn what to do to keep your beloved pets safe!
- Food and water for at least 3 days
- Medications and medical records
- First aid kit
- Collar, leash, and ID tags
- Carrier or crate
- Sanitation supplies
- Familiar items like toys or bedding
Pet Family Participatory Check Sheet
If it's not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it's not safe for them either! Include supplies for your pet in your emergency kit, or assemble a dedicated emergency kit for your pet.
- Identify pet-friendly hotels along evacuation routes
- Contact local shelters about pet policies
- Keep vaccination records current and accessible
- Microchip your pets and keep registration updated
- Have a photo of you with your pet for identification
- Know your pet's hiding spots in case of panic
Evacuation Plan for the Whole Family
Make an evacuation plan for you and your pets. Many hotels and shelters do not accept animal guests, other than service animals. Planning ahead ensures no family member — two-legged or four — gets left behind.
- Research pet-friendly shelters in advance
- Identify a trusted neighbor who can help if you're away
- Practice loading pets into carriers calmly
- Keep a "go bag" ready near the door
- Post pet alert stickers on windows for rescuers
Why Pet Emergency Preparedness Cannot Wait
According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 70% of U.S. households own a pet — yet the vast majority of families have no documented emergency plan that accounts for their animals. During hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other disasters, pets are among the most vulnerable and most frequently left behind. ARCNetUSA's partnership with the veterinary community exists to change that reality.
Through the ARCNetUSA augmented reality app, pet owners receive weekly, bite-sized preparedness tips delivered directly to their smartphones — covering everything from building a pet emergency supply kit and identifying pet-friendly evacuation shelters, to microchipping, carrier training, and post-disaster veterinary care. The content is designed to be actionable, memorable, and easy to share with neighbors and family members.
Veterinarians, animal rescue organizations, and pet supply retailers are natural Business Heroes partners in this mission. By embedding ARCNetUSA preparedness content into routine veterinary visits, pet store foot-traffic, and product packaging, ARCNetUSA extends the reach of disaster preparedness education to every pet-owning household in America.
Whether you own a dog, cat, bird, or livestock, the principles are the same: plan ahead, build a kit, know your evacuation route, and never leave a family member behind. Everyone Is an Immediate First Responder — and that responsibility extends to every member of your family, two-legged and four.
