Get Prepared Now

​Be ready for a disaster, evacuation or a lost pet by preparing now.

A cute fluffy cat wearing a pink necklace sits comfortably indoors on a decorated blanket.
A stray kitten being gently comforted by a human hand on a concrete surface.
01

Microchip your Pet!

This is still the Number One Way to identify your pet. Sometimes cats who are missing for a while look and act differently–a microchip will prove without a doubt that you have truly found your pet.

Make Sure the Microchip is Up To Date
It’s critical that the information attached to your pet’s microchip is up to date for you to be reunited with your lost pet in the future. To find out if the information is accurate, register it now, FOR FREE!

  1. Find your pet’s microchip number. Not sure? Ask your vet! They either have it in their records or can scan it for you for FREE. Also any local shelter can scan it too.
  2. Enter the microchip number into the Michelson Found Animals website (www.foundanimals.org). You can register and update your pet’s microchip information anytime, regardless of what company originally microchipped your pet.
  3. Follow the instructions to register your pet’s microchip.
  • Pro Tip: Add your pet as a contact on your phone, using their chip # as their phone number!
02

Make a Detailed Description of your Pet

  1. What color is your pet? Cat owners: Is it a tabby, a tortoiseshell or a calico? Use the Visual Guide to Identifying Cats from Alley Cat.
    Allies to help you note the colors and patterns of your cat.
    • CAT OWNERS ONLY: Then, use that info to fill in this Cat Identification Worksheet also from Alley Cat Allies.
    • Take a picture of your filled-in template and save in your cell phone’s photo album! That way it’ll be saved “to the cloud” in case you cannot reach paper files in the future. Note: If you registered your pet’s microchip with Michelson’s Found Animals (see Step 2), you can save photos and a description of your cat online.​
  2. Be sure to take lots of photos and videos of your pet now to help you identify them later. Don’t forget the tummy area and any distinguishing marks!
Two adorable tabby kittens playing on stacked terracotta roof tiles outdoors.
Man warmly embraces his cat amidst a backdrop of urban ruins, depicting resilience.
03

Get Your Gear Prepared!

  • Keep your small pet’s carrier in an easy-to-find place (and not hidden behind a bunch of boxes in the garage). You might even leave it out so your pett is used to seeing it as Jackson Galaxy recommends.
  • Also keep an extra bag of pet food, bowls and water together in a bag that’s ready to grab. Buy items that are collapsible to save space! Don’t forget litter and a litterbox/puppy pads. Along with any medications.
  • You’ll need a pet crate to keep you pett safe when you reach your evacuation destination. If you know where you’re going ahead of time (to a friend or family’s house), you might store it there now.
04

When It’s Time to Go

  • If you do have to evacuate, put your pet somewhere safe (like the bathroom). Then grab the items listed in the step above, as well as your litter box with scoop and any medications your cat needs.
  • When you’re ready, get your pet in the carrier! Pro tip for cats: If your cat is scared, you might use a pillowcase to capture them first. You might keep a pillowcase in the carrier just in case!
A close-up of a person gently patting a contented dog outdoors, showcasing a moment of trust and affection.

Join Us in Making a Difference Today!

Help us help lost pets find their way home. Volunteer or report a lost pet today.

Scroll to Top