What to Put on a Pet Emergency Information Card

If something happened to you tomorrow — an accident, a sudden hospital stay, an evacuation — would a sitter, neighbor, or family member know how to care for your pet? An emergency information card answers the questions people scramble for in the moment: what vet to call, what medications matter, what your pet is allergic to. Here's what to include, plus a free template.

Why every pet needs one

Emergencies aren't just fires and evacuations — they're also the more common scenario of you being unreachable for a few hours while someone else needs to make a decision about your pet. A clear card removes the guesswork and the panic of trying to remember details under stress.

The 8 things it should include

1. Pet's name, species, breed, age, and weight — basic ID for anyone who's never met them.
2. Your name and emergency contact number — plus a backup contact if you can't be reached.
3. Your regular vet's name, phone number, and address — the first call in most situations.
4. Nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital — your regular vet likely isn't open at 2am.
5. Current medications and dosages — including anything given daily that can't be skipped.
6. Known allergies or adverse reactions — medications, foods, or anything else to avoid.
7. Microchip number and registry — critical if your pet gets lost during a chaotic moment.
8. Feeding instructions and any behavioral notes — useful for anyone stepping in for more than a day.

The problem with a paper card

A paper card is only useful if it's exactly where someone thinks to look, and it's only accurate as of the day you printed it. Move a medication dose, switch vets, or update a contact number, and the card in the junk drawer quietly goes stale.