Hurricane season runs from June through November here in Florida, and if you have lived here for any amount of time, you know the drill: water, batteries, flashlights. But pet owners have an extra layer of planning to keep their pets safe. At Paw Haven, we encourage our patients to create an emergency plan now, before a storm is on the radar.
Here is what you need to have in place before the next one rolls through:
Make Sure Your Pet Can Be Identified
This one sounds simple but can be easy to overlook. Every pet should have a collar with an ID tag that includes their name and your current contact information, even pets who never leave the house. If you are a seasonal resident, keep a temporary tag with your current address handy while you are traveling.
We also recommend microchipping your pet, because microchips are a permanent ID and you don’t have to worry about it slipping off like a collar. Microchipped pets are more likely to be reunited with their owners after getting separated, but only if the chip is registered with your current contact info. If you are not sure whether yours is up to date, check directly with your microchip company. If you do not know who that is, your vet can pull the chip number for you.
Build a Pet Emergency Kit
This is your pet’s version of a “go bag.” It should include at least a week’s worth of food and water, any medications they take regularly, and a sturdy carrier or crate. You could also pack a favorite toy to bring some comfort from home. If your pet gets anxious during storms, talk to your vet about getting that prescription filled well before storm season ramps up, not after a storm is already named.
You should also have a current photo of each pet in case you get separated, along with copies of their vaccine and medical records in your bag. Keeping pets current on vaccines matters here too, since shelters and evacuation sites can expose them to other animals and illnesses they would not normally encounter.
Have an Exit Plan Before the Storm Hits
Leaving a pet behind during a hurricane evacuation is never a good idea. Weather or road conditions can prevent you from getting back to them for days, sometimes longer. Know your evacuation zone ahead of time, and research pet-friendly shelters and hotels along your evacuation route before you need them. Not every shelter accepts animals, so this is not something you want to be figuring out in the middle of an evacuation.
If staying with friends or family is an option, confirm that ahead of time too.
Have a printed list of shelters, hotels, and contact info on hand, since roads and cell service are not always reliable during a storm.
Prep Your Home, Too
If you are not asked to evacuate but are sheltering in place, secure anything outside that could become a projectile in high winds, and set up a safe, designated area inside your home where you and your pets can stay together. A small kiddie pool lined with grass sod can double as an indoor bathroom spot for dogs if you are stuck inside for a while. And make sure to have plenty of fresh water stored for both you and your pets.
If you need help calculating how much water to store, remember that a healthy dog needs about one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. And cats will drink about four ounces of water per five pounds of body weight.
Preparing Early = Less Stress Later
The best time to put this plan together is now. Take a little time this week to gather supplies, confirm your pet’s microchip info, and make sure their vaccines are current.
If you need updated vaccine records, a microchip check, or just want to make sure your pet is ready for storm season, give us a call at (863) 334-0158 or book online at pawhavenvet.com. We are happy to help you get everything in order before you need it!
