Hurricane Preparation Tips for Pets

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Hurricane season means that households should be prepared for a storm making landfall at any given moment. Whether experts predict a “slow” or “dangerous” hurricane season, there’s really no telling when a disaster can occur, that’s why every home should have a plan for every single family member under the roof…including pets! Keep these vital hurricane tips in mind for your fluffy friends.

  1. Have emergency supplies prepared
    Stocking up on supplies is one of the most important hurricane prep tasks. When shopping for your household’s bottled water and flashlights, be sure to keep your pet’s needs in mind too. Make sure to buy an ample amount of canned or dry food, along with a carrier for each pet if you don’t already have one. Don’t forget to also keep your veterinarian’s information on hand at all times, along with a leash or litter box, if your pet needs it. When organizing your supplies, be sure to keep all your emergency supplies together and neatly prepared in the event of an evacuation.
  2. Map out your emergency evacuation route
    In the event of an emergency evacuation, it’s important to ensure that your family is aware of the evacuation plan. Keep in mind that not all evacuation shelters accept pets, so plan ahead and map out the ones that do. From there you can create a clear plan to safely reach your destination. Be sure to also have a list of hotels outside of the approximate evacuation area that accept pets, just in case.
  3. Organize all identification documents
    Much like your own families documents, you should have your pets important identification documents ready and in a zip lock bag, should your area require evacuation. This means that your pet should have a collar with his or her name, as well as your contact information. Microchips are another popular form of identification that are permanent and can be scanned at animal shelters.
  4. Keep your pets in carriers
    When a hurricane occurs, the surrounding areas experience a natural change in pressure, which animals can sense, even before it makes landfall. This means that animals may act abnormal, aggravated or even become disoriented. The best way to ensure that your pet is safe during this stressful time is to keep them safely in their carrier, unless necessary, until the threat of danger is gone.


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