Disaster Preparedness for Pets

It’s no secret Colorado that typically experiences an increase in natural disasters, including fires, during the warmer seasons. We’re here to help pet owners in Jefferson County who may experience these emergencies.

Know Where to Go

Be prepared in the case of evacuation by arranging a safe place for you and your pets to go ahead of a disaster. If you do not have a place to go that can shelter your pets, Foothills Animal Shelter provides temporary placement for pets whose owners are facing evacuations in Jefferson County. Pets will receive a warm kennel, nutritious food, and a safe place to sleep free of charge. Large animals, like horses, can be brought to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Foothills Animal Shelter is located at 580 McIntyre St in Golden.

Have a Plan

It’s wise to prepare an emergency kit for your pet. Then, in the case of evacuation, you can grab your supplies and get to safety as quickly as possible. In this kit, we recommend having:

• Leashes and collars. Ensure your pet’s tags, licensing, and microchip are up-to-date.
• A carrier for cats and smaller pets.
• A week’s worth of food (be sure to rotate this out based on the item’s expiration date).
• Kitty litter and a litter box.
• Pet feeding dishes.
• Fresh, sealed water.
• Copies of their veterinary record and a list of any medications.
• Toys and bedding.
• Recent photos of your pets in case you are separated.

If You Aren’t Home…

As tempting as it might be, never enter an evacuated area If you cannot pick up your pets, please contact the animal control in your area to assist in removing your pet safely from your home. A list of animal control agencies in Jefferson County can be found on our Search Tips page.

Stay Up-to-Date

In order to stay up to date on evacuation notifications, sign up for Lookout Alerts in Jefferson County. Social media can be a great resource to receive current, quickly changing information. Follow Jefferson County and Foothills Animal Shelter for updates. Finally, the media will help spread information about areas that may need to be evacuated.

Foothills Animal Shelter is proud to be a resource for the people and pets in our community. Our emergency pet sheltering programs would not be possible without support from our generous community. You can help animals and their owners by donating to the Animal Relief Fund during these challenging times.