Livestock Emergency Kit

What goes in a livestock first aid kit?

Build the kit with your veterinarian, because the right contents depend on your species and your skills. Ask your vet what they want you to have on hand, what to leave alone and when to call. Do not stock medications or use them without direction.

General items most small farms keep include clean towels, gauze and wrap, blunt scissors, a digital thermometer, disposable gloves, a flashlight, a headlamp and spare batteries, and a halter and lead rope for each animal. Keep everything in one waterproof container that is easy to carry and labeled.

Check what the kit needs to cover for your own farm. A few chickens, a pair of goats and a horse have different needs, and a kit sized for one may not fit another. Keep a smaller portable bag for quick trips to the pasture and a larger stock in the barn.

• Gloves, towels, wraps and clean water
• Thermometer and flashlight with spare batteries
• Halters, lead ropes and a way to restrain safely
• Vet and extension numbers on a card inside the lid

What records and information should be in the kit?

Keep a folder with a list of animals, photos showing markings, vaccination and health notes from your vet, and ownership proof such as registration or purchase records. If you must evacuate or animals get loose, these help identify them and help any shelter or vet who treats them.

Write out contact numbers for your vet, a backup vet, neighbors who can help, your county emergency management office and your state veterinarian. Keep a paper copy because phones and networks may be down.

Take clear photos of each animal from the side and front, and keep them with your records. If animals scatter in a storm or flood, photos help others recognize them. Some farms use ear tags, tattoos or microchips, so ask your vet what suits your animals and what local programs expect.

How do you plan for water, feed and power?

Extension emergency guides from several states stress water first. Work out roughly how much your animals drink in a day in hot and cold weather by observing them, then plan storage for several days. Keep a few days of feed in a dry, secure place and rotate it.

If you depend on electric fence, water pumps or heated buckets, think about what happens when power fails. A generator brings its own safety rules: run it outdoors and away from buildings, and have electrical hookups done by a licensed electrician. Ask your power company about outage procedures.

Fuel, fence chargers, battery backups and buckets for hauling water all belong in the plan. Walk the farm and list every task that depends on power, then decide what you would do for each if the power were out for several days.

What is your evacuation plan?

Decide ahead where animals would go, how they would travel, and who would help. Check that your trailer works, that animals will load, and that you have a route with an alternate. Practice loading before an emergency, since a stressed animal loads poorly.

Contact your county emergency management office and ask whether livestock shelters or registration programs exist locally. Rules about moving animals, health papers and shelters vary by state and county, so ask your state veterinarian or extension office what applies.

Think about biosecurity if animals mix at shelters or fairgrounds in an emergency. Ask your vet how to reduce disease spread when animals come home.

How do you handle injuries and sudden illness?

Know the signs that mean you call a vet immediately: heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, inability to stand, bloating, severe pain, or a sudden change in behavior. Keep the animal calm and safe, protect yourself, and give the vet clear information when you call. Do not attempt surgery or treatments you have not been trained to do.

Write down what you notice and when, including temperature if your vet has asked you to take it. Having a quiet place where an animal can be separated is part of the plan.

How often should you check the kit?

Set a reminder each season to check expiration dates on anything perishable, replace batteries, refresh photos and records, and update phone numbers. Talk through the plan with everyone who helps on the farm so each person knows their role.

Costs fall into categories: the container, basic supplies, stored water and feed, trailer upkeep, and any vet consultation. Build it gradually rather than buying everything at once.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.