Hurricane preparedness instructions for pet owners
Planning for your pets is just as crucial as planning for the human members of your family when a hurricane threatens. The following instructions will help you ensure the safety and well-being of your animal companions before, during, and after a hurricane:
Before the storm
- Develop a comprehensive pet disaster plan: According to FloridaDisaster.org, your plan should include:
- Evacuation strategy: Determine a safe place for your pets in case you need to evacuate, considering hotels, motels, boarding facilities, friends, or family outside the affected area who will accept pets.
- Pet-Friendly Shelters: Check with your local emergency management agency or animal shelter for information about pet-friendly shelters in your area. Be aware that not all shelters accept pets.
- “Buddy system”: Arrange with a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative to care for or evacuate your pets if you’re unable to do so yourself. Provide them with a key, your pet’s routine, feeding schedules, medication information, and preferred vet contact details.
- Assemble a portable pet disaster kit: Include enough supplies to last at least seven to ten days, but ideally up to two weeks. The kit should be easily transportable in sturdy containers like duffle bags or covered trash containers.
- Essential Supplies:
- Food (dry or canned, with a manual can opener if needed) and water for at least a week.
- Water and food bowls.
- Any regular medications (at least a two-week supply in a waterproof container).
- Important documents: medical records, vaccination records, feeding schedule, veterinarian’s contact information, and current photos of your pets.
- A pet first-aid kit.
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers (one per pet) large enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- Cat litter, pan, and scooper for cats.
- Waste bags or puppy pads.
- Comfort items: blankets, towels, or favorite toys.
- Essential Supplies:
- Ensure Proper Identification:
- Microchip your pets and ensure the registration information is up to date and includes your current contact details.
- Ensure all dogs and cats wear collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification tags, including your phone number.
- For travel, consider a temporary ID tag with your current location and contact information.
- Vaccinations: Make sure your pets are current on all vaccinations, as many pet-friendly shelters require proof of vaccinations to reduce disease spread. Ask your veterinarian about any additional recommended vaccinations, especially during hurricane season.
- Prepare your home:
- Bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm or disaster.
- Designate a safe room in your home, preferably an interior room without windows, and set up your pet’s crate and emergency supplies there.
- Remove any potential hazards from the designated safe room, such as loose wires, unstable objects, or toxic products.
- Prepare pee pads or newspaper for indoor elimination.
- Close off unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats might hide.
- Consider a “rescue alert sticker” for your front door to inform rescue workers that pets are inside. If evacuating, write “EVACUATED” across the sticker.
During the storm
- Evacuate Early (If Necessary): If you are ordered to evacuate, take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you to stay, it’s not safe for them either. Follow the instructions of local and state officials.
- Sheltering in Place: If you must stay home, remain in your designated safe room with your pets.
- Keep dogs leashed and cats in carriers, ensuring they have access to food, water, and their litter box or designated elimination area.
- Provide comfort items like familiar blankets or toys to help reduce stress.
- Speak calmly and reassuringly to your pets, as they can sense your emotions.
- Monitor for post-storm dangers: downed power lines, sharp objects, displaced wildlife, and contaminated water. Keep pets away from these hazards and supervise them closely.
- Avoid going outside during the “eye of the storm.”
After the storm
- Assess damages and hazards: Before allowing your pets outside, check your home and yard for dangers such as downed power lines, debris, or contaminated floodwaters.
- Leash and Confine: Even if your pets normally roam freely, keep them leashed or in carriers until they become reoriented to their surroundings and familiar landmarks are re-established.
- Be Patient and Reassuring: Your pet’s behavior may change after a traumatic event, becoming anxious or defensive. Comfort them and try to re-establish their routine as soon as possible.
- Seek veterinary assistance: If your pet exhibits any signs of injury, illness, or persistent behavioral problems, consult your veterinarian immediately.
By following these instructions and preparing in advance, you can significantly increase the safety and well-being of your pets during a hurrica
