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Emergency Preparedness for Wildfires: What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know

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Wildfire season is in full swing in communities throughout the US and Canada - it’s never been more critical to be ready. This week, a wildfire is burning just 10 minutes from my apartment in Squamish, British Columbia, serving as a stark reminder that these natural disasters can happen close to home.


We’ve all seen entire towns destroyed and families displaced. When it’s time to evacuate, you often have minutes and not hours to gather the essentials and leave. And at PadsPass, our team believes that pets are family and must be included in your emergency preparedness and evacuation plans.


Below are essential steps you can take today to protect your pets during wildfire season.


🏠 Pet Emergency Preparedness At Home: What to Do Now


Build a Pet-Friendly Go-Bag

Don’t wait until you're packing under stress. Keep an emergency kit ready to grab and go. We love ready.gov’s checklist of things to include in your household go-bag.

PadsPass Recommended Pet-specific items to include:

  • Food for at least 3 days (our team veterinarian, Mariam Ferrer, DVM, recommends more if your pet has dietary restrictions)

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Extra medications and supplements

  • Leash, harness, poop bags, and portable litter box

  • Backup pet collar with updated contact info


Invest in a Quality Air Purifier

Not all wildfires require evacuation. But wildfire smoke can negatively impact the air quality and be hazardous for people and pets with asthma, respiratory conditions, or sensitivities to smoke.

I have personally used this LEVOIT Air Purifier since 2021 and it’s made a noticeable difference inside our Squamish apartment.

Chewie & Leia next to an air purifier
Important: Don’t forget to replace air purifier filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

Confirm Backup Accommodations

If you have to leave your home, you need a safe place for you and your pets to stay.

Options to line up in advance:

  • Trusted friend or family member’s home

  • Local hotels with pet-friendly policies (confirm that your pet meets pet policy requirements)

  • Emergency shelters that accept pets (varies by region—check your local government’s website)


📍 Pro tip: Save these locations in a dedicated Google Maps list and label the travel time from your home.


✈️ When Traveling in Wildfire-Prone Areas


Identify Backup Pet-Friendly Stays

Even if your main destination is clear, identify backup pet friendly accommodation option in a different zone. Fires can travel quickly and not having to search for last-minute alternatives can ease the stress of an already difficult situation.


Reconsider or Reschedule Travel Plans

If you're heading to an area that regularly faces wildfires, reconsider whether it is the right time for you and your pet to go. No vacation is worth compromising you or your pet’s safety.

If you do plan to travel to a destination during wildfire season, stay up to date with current conditions on the ground and invest in travel insurance that includes “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage.


📌 Get a quote here for whole trip insurance through Faye Travel, which also includes coverage for unexpected pet-related travel interruptions.


Stay Informed with the Right Apps

These tools help you act quickly:

  • For Residents and Travellers in British Columbia:

    BC Wildfire App

    Apple Store | Google Play

    • Local government alert systems (e.g., Emergency Info BC, Alberta Emergency Alert, CAL FIRE)

    • Twitter/X: Follow regional fire services and municipalities


🖼️ Screenshot: Active fire alerts near Squamish from BC Wildfire App


Keep Digital Records Handy

You may be requested to show your pet’s health records and proof of ownership in an emergency evacuation situation in order to access public shelters. Have on hand:

  • Proof of pet ownership

  • Vaccination records

  • Vet prescriptions

  • Microchip number


Save these:

  • PDFs saved to your device

  • In a shared folder or platform that is accessible offline

  • In your camera roll under a dedicated“Pet Docs” album


🚀 Coming September 2025: Store these documents in one place using the PadsPass app, which will also support verified digital pet passport to have for ermegency travel.


Conclusion

Being ready for a wildfire emergency isn’t just about survival, it’s about minimizing stress and keeping your whole family safe, pets included.


At PadsPass, we know that traveling with pets isn’t always a vacation choice… sometimes, it’s something you have to do for your and your pets’ safety. That’s why we’re building our digital pet passport and travel planning app that support both planned journeys and unexpected emergency evacuations.


While we build the PadsPass app, we’re here to support pet parents like you with both leisure planning and emergency preparedness. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Send an email to trips@padspass.com to inquire about our VIPP services to prepare today.


Screenshots of BC Wildfire mobile app and fire that is out of control near where my apartment in Squamish is.
Screenshots of BC Wildfire mobile app and fire that is out of control near where my apartment in Squamish is.
Staying up to date on social media to see alerts and photo updates.
Staying up to date on social media to see alerts and photo updates.
Photos of the fire on June 10, 2025
Photos of the fire on June 10, 2025



 
 
 

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