At the height of hurricane season, remember that your pets depend on you to prepare for the next big storm. Including dogs, cats, and other companion animals in your emergency planning reduces stress, protects their health, and speeds recovery after a disaster. Below are practical, easy-to-follow recommendations to prepare your pets for hurricanes and severe weather.
Make Sure Your Pet Is Prepared for a Hurricane
Have an evacuation plan:
- Create an evacuation plan that explicitly includes your pets. Many hotels, motels, and emergency shelters do not accept animals, so confirm in advance where you can safely take them.
- If you cannot take your pets with you, identify trusted caregivers ahead of time. Build a list of friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters, and veterinarians who could care for your pets in an emergency, and keep phone numbers readily available.
- Plan for multiple possibilities. In large-scale emergencies, you may need to separate pets among different locations—have more than one backup place available.
- Practice evacuation drills that include your pets. Familiarize cats and dogs with carriers, crates, and vehicles so travel is less stressful during an actual evacuation.
Have emergency supplies and travel kits ready:
- Keep secure leashes, harnesses, and carriers accessible to prevent escapes and to transport pets safely during evacuations.
- Maintain an emergency stock of pet food, bottled drinking water, bowls, and cat litter. Include a can opener if your pet eats canned food.
- Store all medications your pet needs and keep copies of medical records in a waterproof container or sealed plastic bag.
- Create a dedicated pet first aid and emergency kit containing:
- Identification materials: a recent color photograph of your pet, ID tags showing the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and any microchip information.
- Printed medical records and notes about any chronic conditions, allergies, or behavioral issues.
- Feeding instructions, daily schedules, and contact information for your regular veterinarian to help temporary caregivers provide consistent care.
- A list of veterinarians and 24-hour emergency animal hospitals near your evacuation destinations.
- Comfort items such as a pet bed, familiar toys, or a blanket that smells like home to reduce anxiety during displacement.
Be prepared to travel with your pets:
- Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are current and that they wear collars with up-to-date identification. Many temporary shelters and boarding facilities require proof of vaccinations.
- Refill and stock up on prescription medications in advance and keep a physical copy of medical records with your travel kit.
- Microchip your pets and keep the contact information associated with the microchip registration current so they can be reunited with you if separated.
- If your pet experiences anxiety during storms or travel, consult your veterinarian about behavioral strategies or, if appropriate, prescribed medications. Never give your pet medication without veterinary guidance.
Rescue Sticker Alert
- Display a rescue sticker or notice at your home so first responders know pets are inside. Make sure the sticker clearly lists the number and types of pets in your household and is placed in a visible location.
- Keep the sticker updated and include additional contact information or instructions if needed.
Planning ahead reduces risk and improves outcomes for both people and animals when a hurricane threatens. Regularly review and update your emergency kits, practice evacuation routines, and ensure all identification and medical information is current. During a storm, prioritize safety and keep calm—pets take cues from their owners, so your preparedness and steady behavior help them remain calmer as well.
Originally published on Forever Freckled.
Hello everyone! My name is Alison Streit and I am Forever Freckled’s veterinarian. Being a veterinarian has been my lifelong dream. Over the past several years I have dedicated myself to building, opening, and running an animal hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and to helping pets and their families with health and wellness. I believe pets are members of the family, and nothing brings me greater satisfaction than supporting owners and their animals through preventive care, emergencies, and everyday life. I am also a wife and mother to my children Luke, Leah, and Hayden. I am proud to have started Forever Freckled with my sisters and to have created a platform that helps people and pets on their journeys together.