Home » Travel & Places

Emergency Information for NYC Pets (And Their People)

Ranked #24,828 in Travel & Places, #569,236 overall | Donates to Humane Society of the United States

We New Yorkers love our pets.  In what other U.S. city is it not shocking to see a golden retriever in Barnes and Noble?  For many of us, our companion animals are an integral part of our family and we want to know how to best care for them in emergencies, but living in the big city presents special challenges. This lens is an overview of how to best overcome them.

Please note that I am not a vet or any type of animal oriented professional or expert.  I am just a mother of a well loved Rottweiler (Chester, pictured with me at left) passing along information.  With that said, I hope that you find the information below helpful.

YOUR PET IS LOST

HOW TO FIND YOUR PET AND INCREASE THE CHANCES OF YOUR PET BEING RETURNED

Few things can stop the heart quicker than when a beloved animal goes missing. The following information provides ways in which to increase your pet's chances of being returned if lost and what to do when they are no where to be found.
Lost and Found Search Animal Care and Control
The Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC) runs New York City's animal shelter system. The first thing to do when you realize your pet is lost is to call the CACC shelter in your borough (Call 311 to be connected), do an online lost and found search, visit the shelter in person to file a lost animal report and return to the shelter AT LEAST every 48 hours to check for your pet. Lost pet reports are not enough as descriptions of pets are often subjective.
What to Do When Searching For Your Lost Pet In NYC
Fantastic tips from CACC. Print these out and follow them.
Pets911: Lost and Found
Pets911 is a free web-based network that provides easy access to local pet information. They have a lost and found database that allows you to post a lost or found pet and search for a lost or found pet.
What To Do When Searching For Your Lost Pet
Even more ideas and fantastic tips from Pets911. Print these out and follow them.
NYC Dog Licenses
First of all, it's a law -- all dog's must be licensed. But even if your the rebellious type, this is one rule you shouldn't break. It's a simple fact: Licensing helps reunite lost dogs with their owners. FYI: If you find a lost dog you can trace a tag by calling 212-676-2100.
ID Tags From Petco
There are a number of PETCOs in the city where you can make an ID tag for your pet that includes their name, your name, phone number and address. Find the store closest to you by clicking on the link and help a good samaritan return your pet.
Microchipping by Home Again Pet Recovery Service
HomeAgain® is an advanced pet identification and retrieval system that provides Permanent Pet Identification National enrollment in a pet recovery database through microchipping. Microchipping is one of the best ways to increase your lost pet's chances of returning home. If you have not done so already, make sure to microchip your pet at your next vet visit.

Here's how it works: Vets and shelters have a scanner that reads the digital number on the chip inserted in your pet. They then call the microchip company to retrieve your information, and soon your pet will be home safe. It is pertinent to keep your phone number and address current with whatever microchip company you choose. I am linking to Home Again because it is the service we used for Chester.

Another great thing about microchipping -- research facilities will not accept animals with a microchip. Sad, but true, many animals are stolen and picked up as strays to be sold to research facilities where they go from beloved pet to lab specimen.

You Think Your Pet Was Stolen

Further Steps to Take

The following is a step by step list of what to do if you believe your pet was stolen (you should also utilize the "lost pet methods" suggested above). This guidance comes from In Defense of Animals (IDA). For more information contact the IDA Stolen Pet Coordinator at 1-800-STOLEN-PET, email: ida@idausa.org.
  1. Go to your local police precinct and file a theft report. Insist that they write a written report.
  2. Call 1-800-STOLEN-PET (1-800-786-5367) to report your stolen pet.
  3. Warn your neighbors of this threat to their pets and family.

YOUR PET IS SICK & IT'S 4 AM

FIND THE AFTER HOURS VET CLOSEST TO YOU

CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM HOURS, LOCATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE COMING (THE FACILITY MAY BE CLOSED IF YOU GO WITHOUT CALLING AHEAD).

I have a special place in my heart for Bobst Animal Medical Hospital. They saved Chester's life once (at 4 AM).

*** A caveat: This is not necessarily a comprehensive list -- just a list of the facilities I know about. Check with your vet for after hours locations closest to you.

YOUR PET NEEDS A RIDE ASAP

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR AND THE VET IS A MUST

Service animals and pets in carriers are always allowed on MTA subways, buses and trains, as well as in public taxicabs. It is at the discretion of the taxi driver to pick up non-secured pets. Speaking from experience, 1 out of 3 cabs will take Chester (who does not fit in a carrier!) If your pet is seriously injured, however, you may want to consider emergency transport.
Ambuvet
AmbuVet is the only pet emergency transport service in New York City that operates 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week by NYS board certified licensed veterinary technicians providing immediate response for pets that require transport to a veterinary facility.

Call them at 1-800-262-8838 in an emergency or to discuss rates and capabilities. They estimate a 25 minute arrival time within Manhattan and a 35 minute arrival time in the outer boroughs, but since they cannot use a siren and cut traffic like a ambulance for people, arrival times cannot be guaranteed. They can give a more accurate estimate when you call and are forthright with their availability.

This service also operates for non-emergency purposes, transporting pets who may have pain or discomfort due to surgery or illness.

YOUR PET'S DISASTER PLAN

HOW TO PLAN FOR AND PROPERLY EVACUATE YOUR PET IN A DISASTER

Whether local to your home or city wide, natural or manmade, disasters are always a real possibility so it is essential to plan ahead.

IF AN EVACUATION IS DECLARED BE PREPARED TO LEAVE WITH YOUR PET. YOU MAY USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IF IT IS RUNNING. This includes pets too large for carriers as long as they are muzzled and controlled on a sturdy leash less than 4 feet long. So even if you have a gentle giant of a dog, keep a muzzle on hand just in case.

Plan ahead as to where you will go. Currently shelters do not accept animals, so have a list of pet friendly hotels on hand and ask your vet about boarding facilities.

For more details, print out the guides below and order a free rescue sticker.
Ready New York for Pets
"Ready New York for Pets" is a publication of the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM). It is a one page downloadable guide (PDF) that outlines steps pet owners should take to prepare their pets for all types of emergencies. The guide is avaliable in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian and pertains to dogs, cats, birds, amphibians, reptiles and other small animals.
Get Prepared: Pets
This is essentially the same OEM information as found on the guide described above, however, it is in larger print and in a web format (available only in English).
Get Ready Now: Pets
"Ready Pets" is the federal government's take on preparing pets for emergencies. This downloadable guide (PDF or Text) works great in conjunction with the NYC OEM guide as they both focus on different concerns.
Free Rescue Sticker
If you are unable to get home to your pet in an emergency, putting an alert sticker on the main entrance of your home can be a life saver. Get one free from the ASPCA!

The ASPCA has very useful information on disaster preparedness listed on their site as well.
Federal Pets Act
Great news! In the aftermath of Katrina, their is a new federal law that requires state and local governments to incorporate pets and service animals in disaster planning.

New York State is currently working on legislation that would establish pet friendly evacuation and sheltering standards as part of the disaster preparedness planning.

What To Do Following a Disaster

This is taken directly from OEM's "Get Prepared: Pets" web page.

  1. Following an emergency, be extra careful when letting your pet loose outdoors and be sure your pet wears an identification tag.
  2. Familiar scents and landmarks may have been altered, which may cause your pet to become confused or lost.
  3. Beware of other dangers after a disaster, such as downed power lines and debris created by strong winds or rain.

YOUR PET'S EMERGENCY CONTACTS

PARTIALLY TAKEN FROM OEM'S READY NEW YORK FOR PETS

Create a list of contacts before an emergency. Consider local and out-of-area resources. Make sure to keep a copy of this list at home, at work and in your purse or wallet.
  1. Local Veterinarian
  2. After Hours Veterinarian
  3. Animal Poison Control:
    (888) 426-4435
  4. Emergency Transportation
  5. Animal Care and Control of New York City:
    311 (TTY: 212-504-4115)
  6. Emergency Pet Contacts (People with access to your home who can evacuate your pet for you if you are not at home)
  7. Local Pet Friendly Hotels/Motels
  8. Local Boarding Facilities
  9. Pet Friendly Hotels/Motels 30-90 miles from your home
  10. Boarding Facilities 30-90 miles from your home
  11. Local Animal Shelter
  12. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygeine: 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115)
  13. NYC American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (ASPCA):
    212-876-7700
  14. Humane Society of New York:
    212-752-4842

GENERAL EMERGENCY PET CARE

HOW TO UTILIZE FIRST AID, CPR AND DETERMINE IF YOUR PET INGESTED POISON

First Aid Suggestions c/o Ambuvet
A list of what to do in common situations and first aid items you should have on hand.
American Redcross: Pet First Aid
Buy their book on first aid for pets.

Interested in taking a Pet First Aid class? Call the Greater New York Chapter at 1-877-REDCROSS and let them know. They have offered the class in the past and are currently forming a list of interested folks. The REDCROSS is located at 150 Amsterdam Ave, NYC.
ASPCA Poison Control and Poison Prevention
The National Animal Poison Control Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Prior to an emergency, be sure to check out the ASPCA's guides to preventing poisoness ingestions at home. Their site lists potentially hazardous materials to pets including foods, common household products and plants.
Animal CPR
This is a step by step guide to animal CPR as prepared by a D.V.M. and a M.D. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian as to the exact procedure prior to finding yourself in an emergency. It is important to perform CPR correctly.

BOOKS ON DOG FRIENDLY NEW YORK

USE THESE BOOKS TO FIND DOG FRIENDLY LODGING, VETS AND FUN

Loading

A BOOK ON CAT FRIENDLY NEW YORK

THE ONLY ONE I COULD FIND!

Loading

FIRST AID GUIDES

Temporary Immediate Pet Care

Loading

SUGGESTIONS?

Know of other after hour vets? Have another resource on companion animals and NYC? Please share the knowledge.

Show All

by

JoannaF

I have been a New York City dog parent since January of 2005. 
Chester was once a resident of the Brooklyn Center for Animal Care and Control... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags