--- title: Pets in an emergency: shelters and evacuation — InCaseMap description: How to prepare with a pet in Lithuania: can you take a dog or cat into a shelter, what to pack, what to do during an air raid alert and evacuation, what you need to travel to Latvia or Poland. url: https://incasemap.com/en/pets-in-an-emergency updated: 2026-10-15 language: en publisher: InCaseMap --- > Index of all pages on this site: https://incasemap.com/en/llms.txt — start there to find other pages. # Pets in an emergency: shelters, evacuation and the essentials Guide · Family Lithuanian law does not yet say whether you can bring an animal into a shelter — the shelter’s operator decides. So it is worth having a plan for your pet in advance. Prepared by the [InCaseMap team](https://incasemap.com/en/about) · Updated 15 October 2026 > **In short:** microchip and vaccinate your pet in advance and pack its documents, a lead, a muzzle, a carrier, and food and water for a few days. Not every shelter lets animals in, so have a plan B: a safe place at home by the two-wall rule. When an air raid alert is issued, bring animals inside. If you evacuate, don’t leave your pet tied up or shut in. ## Can you take a pet into a shelter? Lithuania’s building regulation does not yet provide for animals in shelters, so the shelter’s operator decides whether to let them in. Some owners have already been turned away. In July 2026 the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) proposed setting up separate, clearly marked areas in shelters for people with animals. - Ask your municipality in advance which shelters near your home accept animals. - Keep a dog on a lead and muzzled, and cats and small animals in a carrier. - If you are not let in with your pet, take cover at home by the [two-wall rule](https://incasemap.com/en/where-to-shelter-at-home). ## What to prepare for your pet - A microchip and registration — it makes it much easier to return a lost animal to its owner. - Vaccinations and a pet passport with the vaccination records. - A lead and a muzzle for a dog, a carrier for a cat or a small animal. - Food and water for at least 3 days, bowls and any regular medicines. - Litter or bags, a blanket and a favourite toy — your pet will be less anxious. - A photo of you with your pet, in case you need to prove it is yours. These things can go in the same place as your family’s [72-hour kit](https://incasemap.com/en/72-hour-preparedness). ## When an air raid alert is issued - Bring your pets inside and close windows and doors. - Stay with them in the safest room without windows. - A frightened animal may bolt, so even indoors keep a dog on a lead and a cat in its carrier. - Don’t let animals outside until the alert is over. ## Evacuating with a pet - Plan to take your pet with you. Don’t leave it tied up or shut in a cramped space — it can’t save itself. - Agree in advance with relatives or friends where you could stay with an animal. - In a flood, move small animals higher. Plan a place for farm animals in advance. - To travel to Latvia or Poland with a dog, cat or ferret you need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. The route — [leaving safely](https://incasemap.com/en/leaving-safely). - Don’t give potassium iodide tablets to animals — they are for people only. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I take my dog into a shelter in Lithuania? The shelter’s operator decides: the law does not yet regulate this. Ask your municipality in advance and always keep your dog on a lead and muzzled. ### What should I prepare for my pet for an emergency? A microchip and registration, vaccinations and a pet passport, a lead and muzzle or a carrier, food and water for at least 3 days, medicines and a photo of you with your pet. ### What do I need to take a dog or cat to Poland or Latvia? A microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. These are EU rules for travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets. ### Can I give my pet potassium iodide tablets? No. The State Food and Veterinary Service does not recommend potassium iodide for animals, and it is not registered for animals in Lithuania. ### What should I do during an air raid alert if my pet is outside? Bring it inside as soon as possible and stay together in the safest room without windows. Don’t let it out until the alert is over. ## Sources - [The State Food and Veterinary Service proposes special shelters for residents with pets — LRT (in Lithuanian)](https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2999324/vmvt-siulo-kurti-specialias-priedangas-kur-sleptis-galetu-augintinius-turintys-gyventojai) lrt.lt - [How to act when you see a drone, get an air raid warning or find a suspicious object — lt72.lt (in Lithuanian)](https://lt72.lt/kaip-elgtis-pastebejus-drona-gavus-perspejima-apie-oro-pavoju-ar-radus-itartina-daikta/) lt72.lt - [Potassium iodide tablets — Vilnius City Municipality (in Lithuanian)](https://vilnius.lt/savivaldybe/saugus-miestas/civiline-sauga/informacija-apie-kalio-jodido-tabletes-ir-kaip-elgtis-radiacines-nelaimes-atveju) vilnius.lt - [Non-commercial movement of pets within the EU — European Commission](https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets/eu-legislation/non-commercial-movement-within-eu_en) food.ec.europa.eu This text summarises official guidance and does not replace instructions from the authorities. During an emergency, follow announcements from LRT and the authorities. You may freely use this text and its data, commercially too — just add a link: `InCaseMap` ([more](https://incasemap.com/en/reuse-and-citation)) ## Related - [Evacuation](https://incasemap.com/en/evacuation): What an evacuation point is, how to find your nearest one, what to take and what to do when an evacuation is announced. Tips on foot and by car. - [72-hour preparedness](https://incasemap.com/en/72-hour-preparedness): How to be self-sufficient for three days: water, food, medicines, a battery radio, cash, documents and a family plan. An emergency kit checklist. - [Leaving safely](https://incasemap.com/en/leaving-safely): If you have to leave home or Lithuania: how to plan your route in advance, which documents you need, where to rest on the way and where to get help in Latvia or Poland. - [Where to shelter at home](https://incasemap.com/en/where-to-shelter-at-home): Where to take cover if you can’t reach a shelter: the two-wall rule, the safest places in a flat and in a house, what to avoid and what a “Shelter” sticker really means. - [Dog bite](https://incasemap.com/en/first-aid-dog-bite): Dog or other animal bite: wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, disinfect and see a doctor about rabies. Based on NVSC and WHO. - [Extreme heat](https://incasemap.com/en/what-to-do-heatwave): In extreme heat: stay in a cool room, drink little and often, limit work from 11:00 to 17:00, visit older people. Based on PAGD.