With hurricane season lasting from June to November, you should make an emergency plan for your pets just as you would for yourself! Some hurricanes may give you a little time to prepare, but most give no warning by suddenly changing course, and unless preparations have been made, the loss of human and animal life, and separation from family members, may be devastating. So, just how can you, as a pet owner, make preparations for a disaster? We want you to consider the following when deciding how to keep your furry loved ones safe during this period.
Create an Emergency Kit
You should make your pet’s emergency kit as soon as possible.
Be sure to:
- Keep a week’s worth of food and water in sealed containers for your furry loved one since seeking out supplies during a storm will be highly impossible.
- Include a minimum of five days’ worth of medicine. Add leashes, or harnesses, with a rabies tag and I.D. tag attached in the pack as well.
- Also be sure to place a photo, veterinary records, and contact info for our pet doctors in a sealable plastic bag.
- Make sure that cats and small dogs have a carrier or cage that will hold them comfortably. Make sure larger dogs have a leash and perhaps their own cage. There is a distinct possibility that your pet and you will have to be evacuated to a shelter or kennel and this will be greatly facilitated by a carrier/cage.
- Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current and remember that their exposure risk may be much greater after a disaster.
- In an emergency, your pet will need fresh food and water.It’s possible that your local water supply will be disrupted, and your local market will be closed or simply out of food. Be prepared with a few sealed gallons of water and a sealed container of food, as we mentioned earlier.
Create a Plan if You’re Out of Town
If your community is expecting a hurricane, create a plan with a trusted neighbor to collect your pet if you happen to be out of town. You may need to make plans at a pet-friendly shelter or hotel since public emergency shelters only accept service, guide, or hearing dogs.
Plan for a Worst-Case Scenario
If you absolutely must leave your pet behind, be sure to give him/her a non-hazardous collar made of nylon instead of chain link with your contact information in case they happen to break free of the house and leave.
Also, be sure to provide toys and, as we mentioned before, plenty of food and water in a no-spill container or have the faucet drip in a tub for bigger dogs.
Our Vets Are Here for You!
Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and identification tag so they can be rapidly identified and reunited with you. Even better, make sure that every pet is identified using a permanent microchip implant. Microchipping your pet will help you reunite during the hurricane season if he/she happens to escape. Unlike a collar and tag, these implants cannot be lost and are easy for a clinic or shelter to find. Contact us to set up an appointment with our veterinarians.
