Hurricane season began on June 1, and we hope that you have prepared an evacuation plan for you—and your pets. Recently, our staff put together a mashup of the items we’ll be gathering for our pets at the first warning sign of the season. We hope this is helpful to you in making your own plans:
- A solid carrier or crate, to transport your pet safely in advance of the storm, or to contain them in place if the weather gets rough
- Leashes and harnesses
- Non-perishable pet food, food/water bowls, and enough H20 to last your pets for a week or more
- Bedding and comfort toys
- Litter, litter box, puppy pads, and plastic bags
- Your pet’s medical records, current medications and your vet’s contact info; if you haven’t already, have your dog or cat microchipped
- A picture of your pet to have on hand and a tag with your contact info (in case you get separated)
Place the smaller items in a backpack, and have the carrier and bedding close by, so you can grab and go if needed. Also, make sure to check with local shelters in advance to see if they will accept both you and your pet. If pets aren’t allowed, consider boarding your pet or staying with friends and family or a pet-friendly hotel that’s out of harm’s way.
Whether you decide to stay or go, make your decision early and prepare accordingly. Evacuating at the last minute could put you and your pets in harm’s way.
Finally, as we all know, our pets can sense our emotions. So when the barometric pressure starts to drop, stay calm while you carry on, speaking to your pet in a soothing voice. For more information about preparing your pets for hurricane season, check out the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ preparedness tips at this site.
