In 2024, Canada went through some of the most intense wildfire and flood seasons in recent history. From British Columbia to parts of Alberta and the East Coast, thousands of families had to evacuate with little notice. And for many, their pets were caught up in the confusion.
These events made it clear, emergency preparedness needs to include our animals too. Whether it’s a wildfire moving faster than expected or a flash flood forcing you to leave home quickly, pets are especially vulnerable if you don’t have a plan in place.
As we move through 2025, one thing is certain. Microchipping your pet and registering them with BC Pet Registry can make all the difference when disaster strikes.
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What the 2024 Disaster Season Taught Us
The wildfires and floods of 2024 affected thousands of Canadians. In British Columbia alone, evacuations went on for weeks and crossed multiple communities. Local shelters and veterinary clinics were overwhelmed. Evacuation centers filled quickly, and among the chaos, many lost pets were brought in without proper identification.
This wasn’t the first time communities in BC faced such devastation. Just a few years earlier, in 2021, Abbotsford experienced one of the worst flooding events in the province’s history. Entire farms and neighborhoods were submerged, families were displaced, and many pets were lost in the confusion. The event was a wake-up call, showing how quickly natural disasters can escalate, especially for rural and suburban pet owners.
Here’s what we saw time and time again:
- Pets ran away in fear during evacuations
- Shelters struggled to confirm ownership without reliable ID
- Collars and tags were missing, damaged, or illegible
- Many owners had outdated contact information on file
Too many families realized too late that they weren’t fully prepared. A simple microchip, linked to current contact information, could have shortened their search or prevented their loss entirely.
How Microchipping Helps During Climate Emergencies
In the middle of a crisis, every second counts. If a pet goes missing during an evacuation, having them microchipped and registered is one of the best things you can do to ensure they come home safely.
Here’s why it matters:
- Microchips are permanent. They can’t fall off or be removed like collars or tags
- Most shelters and clinics have scanners and immediate access to BC Pet Registry
- The registry works across provincial lines. Even if your pet is found far away, they can still be returned
- In a busy animal shelter, where space and resources are often limited, having a registered microchip significantly increases the chances of reuniting a lost pet with its rightful owner in a timely manner. As a result, the animal spends less time in the unfamiliar and often stressful shelter environment, reducing emotional distress.
- Microchipping helps alleviate overcrowding in shelters, enabling staff to focus their efforts and resources on animals that truly need care.
- With over 30 locations across British Columbia, the BC SPCA is one of the most likely places a lost animal will be brought. When your pet is registered with us, we can quickly access your contact information without needing to consult other registries, significantly reducing the time it takes to reunite you with your pet.
These small chips provide big peace of mind, especially when everything else feels uncertain.
A Real Community Example: Reaching Pet Guardians Where They Are
During National Pet Day, BC Pet Registry teamed up with the Friendly Paws Society at a local Sunday market to connect directly with pet guardians. The event offered free microchip scans and helped pet owners check their pets’ chip status on-site. Staff were also on hand to walk people through the registration process and answer questions about microchipping.
This kind of community outreach shows BC Pet Registry’s ongoing commitment to keeping pets safe, not just through technology but through meaningful human connection. By meeting people where they are, at markets, festivals, and local events, the team helps build awareness and encourages responsible pet ownership across all communities.
How to Prepare Your Pet for Wildfires, Floods, or Evacuations
If you live in an area at risk for wildfires or flooding, or even if you just want to be prepared, here are a few simple steps that can make a huge difference:
- Make sure your pet is microchipped and registered
- Keep your contact info updated in BC Pet Registry, including emergency contacts
- Prepare a go-bag for your pet with food, water, medications, a leash, and comfort items
- Practice loading your pet into a carrier or vehicle quickly
- If you rely on a sitter, make sure they know your pet’s microchip number and where to take them if separated
It’s always better to prepare now than to scramble later.
Protecting What Matters Most
We can’t always predict when disaster will strike, but we can be ready for it. Whether it’s a wildfire, a flood, or a fast-moving storm, your pet depends on you to have a plan.
A registered microchip gives you one less thing to worry about. It helps ensure that if your pet and your family are ever separated, there’s a way back to each other.
Take five minutes today to check your registration. Update your contact info, or start fresh if your pet isn’t registered yet.
Register with BC Pet Registry now and help your pet stay safe, no matter what tomorrow brings.
Be a Part of the 80% Responsible Owners
During our recent events, we scanned hundreds of pets, all with microchips implanted. Only to discover that approximately 20% of the pets’ microchips are not linked to any registries in North America. We recommend all pet owners to double check their pet’s registration and directly registering with us. All you need is the microchip number and/or tattoo code to start the online registration process. For a small, one-time fee of $45, your pet will be protected for a lifetime and you will also have contributed to the life-saving work of the BC SPCA.
FAQ
Q: What if my pet gets lost during an evacuation?
If they’re microchipped and registered, shelters and clinics can contact you directly after scanning their chip. Keeping your info up to date is key.
Q: Do I still need a collar and ID tag?
Yes. Microchips are essential, but tags help if your pet is found by someone without a scanner.
Q: Can I add an emergency contact to my pet’s profile?
Absolutely. You can list more than one contact in your BC Pet Registry account, which is helpful if you’re unavailable during an emergency.
Q: What if my pet is found in another province?
BC Pet Registry is accessible across Canada. Your pet can still be identified and returned to you no matter where they’re found.
Q: Do I have to pay any fees for updating information with the BC Pet Registry?
All registrations with the BC Pet Registry done after 2023 are valid for the lifetime of the animal and include unlimited updates at no additional cost.
