Rabbit Evacuation Plan: What to Pack for Wildfire, Hurricane, or Power Outage

Pack your rabbit's supplies in waterproof bins or a sturdy go-bag stored near the exit. AVMA recommends easy-to-carry, waterproof containers, one labeled carrier per animal, copies of veterinary records, emergency contacts, a 2-week supply of food and water, and familiar comfort items. For rabbits, that usually means grass hay, measured pellets, greens only if you can keep them fresh, crocks or no-spill bowls, a water bottle if your rabbit uses one, litter, bedding, towels, and a hide box or small blanket.

Include all medications, feeding syringes if your vet has shown you how to use them, nail trimmers, a towel for safe restraint, and a small first-aid pouch approved by your vet. Add recent photos of your rabbit, your contact information on the carrier, proof of ownership, and written notes about diet, behavior, and medical needs. If your rabbit has a bonded partner, plan to evacuate them together when possible.

Your carrier should be secure, well ventilated, and large enough for your rabbit to turn around and rest without being tossed side to side. Line it with absorbent bedding or towels, then add hay so your rabbit can nibble during travel. Merck advises that rabbits must be handled gently but firmly, with support under the chest and hind end, because improper handling can cause serious spinal injury.

Keep the carrier out of direct sun and never leave your rabbit in a parked car. Rabbits are very sensitive to heat and poor airflow. During wildfire evacuations, keep windows closed if smoke is heavy and use the vehicle's air conditioning on a moderate setting. Covering part of the carrier with a light towel can reduce visual stress, but do not block ventilation.

Wildfires add smoke and heat risk, so leave early if officials advise evacuation. ASPCA recommends signing up for local emergency alerts and preparing a disaster kit that can support shelter-in-place or evacuation for at least 10 days. For rabbits, smoke exposure can worsen breathing stress quickly, so a clean indoor air space and rapid relocation matter.

Hurricanes and flooding can cut off roads, contaminate water, and close stores. Power outages can shut down air conditioning, fans, and refrigeration for medications. Store extra bottled water, frozen water bottles for temporary cooling, battery packs, flashlights, and a room thermometer. If your home gets too warm, too cold, smoky, or unsafe for you, it is unsafe for your rabbit too.

In any disaster, your rabbit's top daily needs are airflow, safe temperature, water, and eating. Hay should be the backbone of the kit because it stores well and supports gut movement. Bring more than you think you need. A practical target is 7 to 14 days of hay and pellets, rotated regularly so supplies stay fresh.

Water is equally important. ASPCA advises storing at least seven days of bottled water for each pet, while AVMA evacuation guidance lists a two-week supply of water in secure containers. For rabbits, pack both bottled water and the bowl or bottle your rabbit already knows how to use. Sudden changes in water delivery can reduce drinking, which can become dangerous fast.

Before disaster season, identify at least two places your rabbit could go: a friend or family member's home, a rabbit-savvy boarding facility, a pet-friendly hotel, or your vet if hospitalization is needed. AVMA notes that options may include veterinary hospitals, boarding kennels, and animal shelters, but availability varies by disaster and location.

Call ahead now, not during an evacuation. Ask whether rabbits are accepted, whether your rabbit must stay in a carrier or exercise pen, what records are required, and whether they can accommodate bonded rabbits, special diets, or medications. Keep those addresses and phone numbers in your go-bag and on your phone.

The best rabbit evacuation plan is one you have practiced. Do a short drill: place your rabbit in the carrier, load the car, and confirm that supplies fit. Check that everyone in the household knows who grabs the rabbit, who grabs the kit, and where you are going.

Refresh the kit every 1 to 2 months. Replace expired medications, rotate pellets and bottled water, update records, and swap in current photos. If your rabbit's health changes, ask your vet whether your emergency kit should include additional supplies, written medication instructions, or a feeding plan.