One secure carrier for every small pet
Each rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, or other small pet needs its own secure carrier or, for animals that live happily together, one roomy carrier per bonded pair or group, because mixing unfamiliar animals under stress invites fighting. Choose a rigid, well-ventilated carrier with a door that latches positively, line it with bedding from the home enclosure so it smells familiar, and add a small hide for rabbits and guinea pigs to retreat into. Label every carrier with your name, phone number, and the pet's name, and cover the carrier with a light cloth during travel to cut visual stress while keeping airflow open.
Practise before an emergency forces the issue
A carrier that only appears on frightening days becomes part of the fear. Leave carriers out at home with bedding inside so your pet can wander in and out, feed a favourite vegetable in there occasionally, and build up to short closed-door sits and brief car journeys. On evacuation day, an animal that walks or settles into a known carrier is caught in moments, while a pet that has never seen one may need chasing and grabbing at exactly the moment you have least time and it has most reason to panic.
The grab bag that goes with the carriers
Pack a single bag you can lift with one hand: several days of your pet's usual food in a sealed container, a generous supply of hay for rabbits and guinea pigs, a spare water bottle and clip that fits the carrier bars, a small bowl, and a roll of bedding or lining material. Add a basic cleaning kit of pet-safe wipes, small bags for waste, and paper towel, plus a familiar-smelling cloth from home. Sudden food changes upset small digestive systems badly, so the usual diet matters more than packing anything new or special.
Records, medicines, and care notes
Write down each pet's normal routine, foods to avoid, and any ongoing health concerns on a card in the grab bag, and note your veterinarian's number alongside your own. If your pet receives regular care for a long-term condition, keep the details written clearly so a shelter worker, boarding service, or unfamiliar vet can continue sensibly without guessing. Store the carriers and bag somewhere you pass on the way out, not in a loft or at the back of a cupboard, and refresh the food and check the bottle seals whenever you restock the home enclosure.
Leaving calmly when the call comes
Load pets before the rest of your packing if officials give you time, secure carriers flat in the car where they cannot slide, and never leave small pets in a parked vehicle while you go back for belongings. At your destination, set carriers in the quietest corner, offer water and hay, and let everyone settle before handling. Having the paperwork side already organised removes one scramble entirely — KinsLe's Pet Passport keeps each pet's records together in one portable packet, ready to hand to a vet, shelter, or boarding service wherever you end up staying.