💉 Reception centres need vaccination records — keep a copy in the go-bag

Emergency Support Services centres in Canada, US evacuation and Red Cross shelters, host shelters and pet-friendly hotels almost always require proof...

Emergency Support Services centres in Canada, US evacuation and Red Cross shelters, host shelters and pet-friendly hotels almost always require proof of current vaccinations before they will accept an animal. The most common requests are rabies, distemper-parvo (DAP/DHPP) for dogs and FVRCP for cats, and a current municipal licence. Without paperwork, a stressed evacuation centre may turn you and your pet away, even if there is space. Keep copies in a waterproof bag in the go-bag and a backup copy in cloud storage you can access from a phone. Include your veterinarian’s name, address and phone number, and the date of each vaccine. If your pet is on prescription food or medications, include enough for two weeks plus a note from the vet describing the condition and dosage. For cats and dogs, also bring a recent photo of you with the animal — a photo is faster than paperwork for proving ownership if you become separated and the animal ends up at a shelter. Boarding kennels operated by the BC SPCA accept evacuated pets free of charge during major events but still need basic records.

Source: BC SPCA — Wildfire Animal Evacuation Support

Last reviewed 2026-05-02.

This is the same wildfire safety library that lives inside our free app. Browse it all in the safety library.