Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club
Their Care.
Your Plan.
A Pet Emergency Preparedness Initiative
We love our dogs. We feed them, train them, and keep them healthy. But what happens if an unexpected emergency leaves us unable to care for them? At the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club, we believe responsible ownership includes preparing for the unexpected. Our initiative helps you make simple preparations that make a big difference.
If something happened to you tomorrow ... who would take care of your dog?
Their Care. Your Plan.
Carry a Pet Emergency Contact Card
Five Steps to Protect Your Dogs
Imagine you're in an accident and cannot communicate. Your dogs are home alone. Would emergency personnel know you have dogs? HRKC offers free wallet-sized cards to identify your designated caregivers.
- Choose at least two responsible caregivers.
- Carry your Pet Emergency Card & add info to your phone.
- Prepare a Pet Emergency Information Packet.
- Place a pet alert decal near your entrance.
- Discuss long-term arrangements like pet trusts.
Help Us Spread the Word
We invite veterinarians, groomers, and pet businesses to help distribute our free cards. Contact HRKC through our website to join this community initiative.
Important Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club does not provide veterinary, legal, financial, or estate-planning advice. The suggestions and resources offered are intended to encourage preparedness and responsible dog ownership and may not address every individual's circumstances.
Dog owners should consult qualified professionals when making medical, financial, or other formal arrangements for their pets. Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of external websites or resources linked from this page.
Program inspired by the AKC Delegates' All Breeds/Parent Clubs Joint At-Risk Subcommittee's publication, “Helping Dog Owners to Minimize Risk through Advance Preparation,” prepared by Maggi Strouse, revised August 2025.
Start With One Simple Step
Carry a Pet Emergency Contact Card
Imagine you're involved in an accident and cannot communicate. Your dogs are home alone, waiting for care. A Pet Emergency Contact Card identifies the people you've designated to care for your dogs in an emergency. HRKC offers free wallet-sized cards to help ensure emergency personnel know whom to call. Keep one in your wallet, another with your vehicle registration, and ensure your household has them too.
Five Steps to Protect Your Dogs
1
Choose a Trusted Caregiver — and a Backup
Who would care for your dog if you suddenly couldn't?
Identify someone you trust who is willing and able to care for your dog, whether temporarily or for the long term. Have a conversation about your wishes, your dog's particular needs, and what that responsibility might involve.
Choose a backup caregiver, too.
Circumstances change, and having more than one option provides an extra measure of security.
Don't assume a family member or friend will automatically be able to take your dog. Make sure they've agreed to the responsibility and know how to reach you and your other emergency contacts.
2
Make Sure Your Plans Can Be Found
Even the most thoughtful plan won't help if no one knows it exists.
Carry your Pet Emergency Contact Card and add emergency contact information to your phone. Let neighbors, family members, and friends know whom to contact if something happens to you.
Share your arrangements with your designated caregivers and emergency contacts. Keep important information in a clearly identified location, and consider providing copies to those who may need to act on your behalf.
If you regularly travel with your dog to shows, trials, training classes, or vacations, carry emergency contact information and a copy of your dog's essential care instructions.
Review your plan periodically, particularly when your dog's health, your living arrangements, or your designated caregivers change.
The most important step is making sure someone knows what to do — and has the information needed to do it.
3
Prepare For An Emergency
If you were unexpectedly hospitalized tomorrow, would someone know you have a dog waiting at home?
Make sure your emergency contacts know how to access your home, where your dog's supplies are kept, and whom to call for assistance.
Consider carrying an Emergency Contact Card in your wallet that alerts first responders or medical personnel that you have pets at home who may need immediate attention.
Keep emergency contact information in several easy-to-find locations, such as on your refrigerator, near your dog's supplies, and with your travel or dog show equipment. If your dog's microchip registry permits additional emergency contacts, consider adding your designated caregiver.
If you live alone: Establish a regular check-in arrangement with a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member. Make sure someone would recognize an unexpected interruption in your normal routine and know whom to contact.
Your dog shouldn't have to wait for someone to discover they're home alone.
4
Make Your Home Pet Emergency Ready
Place a pet alert decal near an entrance to let emergency responders know animals may be inside. Ensure your designated caregivers have a way to access your home if needed.
Dogs thrive on familiarity and routine, especially during stressful transitions. Prepare a written care plan that includes:
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Your dog's name, age, breed, and identification information, including microchip number
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Veterinarian's name and contact information
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Medications, allergies, and medical conditions
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Feeding schedule, food preferences, and dietary restrictions
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Exercise, grooming, and daily routines
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Behavioral considerations, fears, and special needs
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Location of important records, supplies, and medications
If you have more than one dog, prepare a separate information sheet for each.
Keep this information somewhere accessible, and make sure your designated caregivers know where to find it. Review and update it regularly.
5
Think About Long-Term Care
Consider discussing longer-term arrangements with a qualified attorney, including whether a pet trust, will, or other legal document is appropriate for your circumstances.
And, don't forget to consider the cost.
Caring for a dog involves ongoing expenses, including food, veterinary care, grooming, medications, and sometimes boarding.
Consider how your designated caregiver would manage those expenses, particularly if your absence were unexpected or extended.
Discuss what resources might be available for immediate needs, such as emergency veterinary treatment or temporary boarding, as well as longer-term care.
Making these arrangements in advance can help reduce uncertainty for the people stepping in to care for your dog.
Emergency Planning Resources
Emergency Contact Card
A wallet-sized card identifying the person to contact if an emergency leaves your dog without care.
Dog Information Sheet
A printable form for recording your dog's veterinary information, medications, feeding instructions, daily routines, and special needs.
Your Dog's Future — Planning Checklist
A simple checklist to help you choose caregivers, organize important information, and make sure your plans are ready when needed.
These resources are intended to make planning easier for dog owners throughout our community.
Planning for your dog's future doesn't have to be complicated, and it doesn't have to happen all at once.
Start with a conversation. Choose someone you trust. Write down your dog's essential information. Make sure they know what you've arranged.
Your dog depends on you today. Making a plan is one more way to care for them tomorrow.
Knowing what to do is important. Taking a few simple steps to prepare is even better!
Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club offers practical resources to help dog owners organize essential information and prepare for the unexpected.
Put Your Plan Into Action
Take the First Step Today
Helpful Resources from the American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers additional guidance to help dog owners prepare for circumstances in which they can no longer care for their pets.
Be Prepared — Plan Ahead for Your Pets (PDF)
Prepared by the AKC Delegate All-Breed Clubs Committee, this resource offers practical suggestions for identifying caregivers, organizing pet care information, and planning for emergencies.
Preparing Your Dog for a Future Without You
Guidance on choosing caregivers, documenting your dog's needs, and preparing for changes in your dog's living arrangements.
What Happens to My Dog After I Die?
Additional considerations for planning for your dog's long-term care.
Who Will Take Care of Your Dog if You Can't?
Practical suggestions for identifying caregivers, communicating your wishes, and preparing for unexpected circumstances.
Help Us Spread the Word
This initiative is for everyone who loves dogs—not just HRKC members. We invite veterinarians, groomers, pet supply businesses, and community organizations to help distribute our free Pet Emergency Contact Cards. Together, we can encourage more dog owners to take this important step.
Contact HRKC and we will supply cards for your to distribute. We appreciate your support of this initiative to give dog owners the resources they need to be properly prepared to care for their pets.