Skill · Shelter
Going to a public shelter
They have cots and water. Bring your kit anyway, and know your pet plan first.
Federal steps in this chapter do not change by state. Local orders for Arizona come from Arizona Department of Emergency Management.
3 min read · Updated October 2026
What a mass care shelter is
Mass care shelters often provide water, food, medicine, and basic sanitary facilities. Plan to bring your emergency supply kit anyway. (Ready.gov — Shelter)
They can mean "living with many people in a confined space, which can be difficult and unpleasant." (Ready.gov — Shelter)
Bring cleaning items: soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes or household cleaners. (Ready.gov — Shelter)
"All shelters accept service animals, but many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside." Know where your pets can go before a disaster. (Ready.gov — Shelter)
To find open shelters, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (standard rates apply). (Ready.gov — Shelter)
Staying sheltered (any shelter, including home)
Stay until local authorities say it's safe to leave. (FEMA 2004 p. 38; Ready.gov — Radiation: "do not return until you are told it is safe")
Checklist
Checks stay in this browser.
Sources
Public pages this chapter leans on. They win if anything here is out of date.
- Ready.gov — Shelter
Mass care, pets, 43362
- Ready.gov — Radiation emergencies
Wait until officials say it's safe
- FEMA, Are You Ready? Part 1, Basic Preparedness (2004 PDF)
Mass care shelters and the safety watch (p. 38)
- FEMA, Are You Ready? Part 1, archived copy
Mass care shelters and the safety watch (p. 38)