What Is an ICE Card for Pets?

If you are in an accident and taken to hospital, the people around you have no way of knowing that a dog is shut in your kitchen or a cat is expecting food that evening. Nobody will search your home. Nobody will check your phone.

An ICE card is found where emergency responders already look — in your wallet, with your ID.

Keep it short enough to read at a glance:

• "I have pets at home" in bold at the top
• How many and what kind — "2 cats, 1 dog"
• Where they are — your address
• Primary emergency carer: name and mobile number
• Backup carer: name and mobile number
• Vet practice: name and phone number
• Any critical medical need — "diabetic cat, insulin twice daily"

Do not put a full care routine on it. This card exists to get a competent person through your door; the detail belongs in the instructions you leave at home.

The card only works if it is found:

• In your wallet, next to your ID or bank card
• A second copy in your car, in the glovebox or on the sun visor
• A photo of it saved as your phone lock screen or in your phone's medical ID
• A note on your fridge, for anyone who does make it inside

Tell your emergency carer that the card names them — being listed is not the same as agreeing.

An ICE card with a friend's old number is worse than none, because it burns the one call someone will make on your behalf. Re-check it whenever you move, change vet, or when the person named moves away.