Don't Forget Your Pet When Preparing for a Hurricane!

BEFORE THE STORM:

The most important thing to remember when hurricane season draws near is to start preparations early. This is not only important for your 2-legged family, but for your 4-legged family members, as well as all other "critters" in your household. For the safety and health of your pets, if you must evacuate your home, take your pets with you! Pets that are released or left behind often become victims of starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, accidents or exposure to the elements.

You should begin by asking your veterinarian if they will be boarding pets, or if they can suggest a place that will be accepting animals, should an evacuation be called. This is essential because most emergency shelters will not allow animals. However, check with your county office as a limited number of shelters in your area may accept animals. If they do, be sure to ask them what is required to allow your pet into the shelter during an emergency.

Be sure to have a current photo of your pets, as well as your property, in your evacuation kit. And just like people, our pets need hurricane kits as well. The following items should be included in a special kit for each individual pet in your home:

A carrier to transport and/or house your pet: You can use this carrier to store some of the items you’ll need for your pets hurricane kit. Bear in mind that this carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up in, turn around and lay down comfortably. In the event of an evacuation, cage space may be limited, and your pet may have to stay in the carrier throughout the storm. Clearly mark the carrier with your pet’s name, your name, and your contact information. You can even consider taping a manila envelope to the carrier and include any pertinent information about your pet on notepaper inside the envelope.

Medical records and medicines: This is essential, as some shelters will not allow your pet in if you do not have up-to-date shot records. Prior to the start of hurricane season, be sure all your pets shot records are current. Keep a copy in your pets’ hurricane kit. Additionally, it is highly recommended that should your pet have any serious medical conditions or require special medication, that you not only make sure to provide the medicine that he needs, but also post a visible tag on his carrier, drawing attention to this fact.

A blanket or bed to lie upon: Ideally, this should fit inside your pet’s carrier. This will not only help to make him more comfortable, but will also help keep him from slipping and falling if he is moved.

Personal belongings: Include one of your pet’s favorite toys or a personal belonging of yours that carries your scent, to help ease his fears. Evacuations can be very traumatic to pets and it helps them to have something familiar amongst all the strange noises and odors. Do not leave a dog with a bone to chew on, as you may not be there to supervise the dog in case he doesn’t chew properly and gets a piece lodged in his throat.

Food: Ensure that your pet has a two-week supply of dry food for workers to feed him and be sure that it is stored in an airtight container. Include your pet’s name, your contact information and feeding instructions on the container. Wet food is not recommended, unless you can provide it in single serving containers. Remember that should there be a power outage, there will be no refrigeration available.

Water: This is often overlooked, but it’s important to provide your pet with a two-week supply of water. Several milk jugs, well rinsed and filled with tap water, can be plainly marked with your pet’s name using a permanent marker.

Collars/Leashes: Remember that your dogs and cats may need to be moved or taken out for some exercise. For this reason, you will need to provide a collar or harness, and a leash. It’s also a good idea to be sure that your pet’s collar bears a tag that provides owner information and that this is up to date. Having your pet micro-chipped is also an inexpensive and painless method of emergency identification for your pet. To learn more about micro-chipping your pet, contact your veterinarian or local shelter for more information.

AFTER THE STORM:

Give your pets time to become re-oriented to their home. Sometimes familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets can easily become confused and lost. Also, keep your pet close to you at all times as there may be downed power lines, debris, and even reptiles brought in with high water, which can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Be sure to bring along a picture of your pet. Sometimes, after a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive. Be sure to monitor their behavior and if you see any unusual behavior that doesn’t subside after a couple of days, contact an animal behaviorist in your area.