Infant Emergency Preparedness · RallyPack
Infants can't
tell you
what they need.
In a disaster, infants are among the most vulnerable. Formula runs out. Shelters lose power. Temperatures spike. RallyPack helps new parents build a plan before the emergency, not during it.
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Infants born in the US each year — none of them have a disaster plan when they arrive
Before federal aid arrives — but formula and diapers aren't stockpiled the same way adult food is
Dangerous fever threshold for infants — reached faster in hot shelters without climate control
The infant preparedness essentials
Six things every parent of an infant must have ready.
Formula & Feeding Supplies
Stock a 72-hour supply of formula, bottles, and sterilization tablets. If breastfeeding, include a manual pump in your go-bag.
Diapers & Sanitation
At least 3 days of diapers, wipes, and rash cream. Diaper supply chains collapse quickly after a major disaster.
Medications & First Aid
Infant acetaminophen, any prescriptions, and a digital thermometer. Infants spike fevers fast in stressful conditions.
Medical Records Offsite
Birth certificate, immunization records, and pediatrician contact stored digitally. Shelters may require proof of vaccination.
Infant-Safe Shelter Identified
Know which emergency shelters have climate control and infant accommodations. Many standard shelters are not appropriate.
Temperature Regulation Plan
Infants cannot regulate body temperature. Extreme heat or cold in a shelter becomes a medical emergency within hours.
What RallyPack tracks for your infant
Immunization records. Pediatrician contacts. Medication schedules. All offline.
Shelters may ask for immunization records. Emergency responders need medication details. Have everything ready before the moment comes.
Answers
Evacuating with animals — questions answered.
- How do I evacuate pets if emergency shelters do not accept animals?
- Identify at least two animal-friendly destinations before an emergency — pet-friendly hotels, boarding kennels, veterinary clinics or a mutual-aid contact.
More detail
Confirm which local shelters accept animals and under what conditions, and keep a backup boarding or stable contact for large animals. Never leave an animal tethered or confined where it cannot escape.
- What should a pet evacuation kit contain?
- A carrier or leash and harness, medication, food and water for at least 72 hours, bowls, identification, and copies of veterinary records.
More detail
Add a recent photo of you with the animal for proof of ownership, a litter tray or waste bags, and a favourite item to reduce stress. Keep the kit with your own go-bag so both leave together.
- How do I plan to evacuate livestock?
- Assign one person to each animal or livestock group and arrange transport, destinations and mutual-aid help in advance.
More detail
Pre-identify two destinations plus a backup, keep halters, leads and records ready, and coordinate with neighbours so a single regional disaster does not consume all available transport at once.
- Should I leave animals behind if I cannot take them?
- No — evacuate people and animals together on the first departure, and never return to a closed zone for an animal.
More detail
Returning for animals makes you an additional rescue problem and delays first responders. If you truly cannot take an animal, leave it loose indoors with food and water and tell responders or animal services it is there.
- How do I make sure my pet can be identified after a disaster?
- Use a microchip plus a collar tag with a phone number, and carry a recent photo of you with the animal.
More detail
Keep microchip registration details current and store copies of vaccination records with your own documents, since shelters and boarding facilities often require them.
Sources
Animal evacuation guidance on this page traces back to the agency that produced it.
- FEMA — Pet and service-animal planning for evacuations and shelters
- American Red Cross — Pet disaster preparedness and evacuation guidance
- ASPCA — Household animal evacuation planning and supply guidance
- AVMA — Veterinary and animal-agency disaster resources
- USDA APHIS — Livestock movement, sheltering and animal-health guidance during disasters
Family evacuation readiness
Find out how ready you really are.
The free readiness quiz scores your plan in three minutes — no account required. Then see how your neighborhood compares on the RallyPack readiness map.
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