If you have pets, an approaching hurricane means you have a whole other set of preparedness responsibilities than your non-pet owning friends and neighbors. Just as you make provisions for the safety and security of your human family, you must do the same thing for your four legged family members. Keeping your pet safe during a hurricane requires a little bit of advance planning.

The first thing you should know is that if you must evacuate the area, your pet must evacuate the area. You do not know how long you will be required to stay away from home, and if you leave your pet behind, it is vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, and injury. Most emergency shelters are not equipped to handle pets, due to limited resources, so you will need to have a plan of where you can go with your pet in advance. The ideal location is to take your pet inland to stay with friends or relatives or to stay with you at a pet friendly hotel - many hotels will bend their pet rules in the case of natural disasters.  Another option is to ask your vet and the boarding kennels in your area for advice on what to do with your pets during a storm. Many hurricane prone areas have local or regional networks set up to help house pets during hurricane evacuations. Remember to evacuate as early as possible. If the emergency officials come to your door during a mandatory evacuation to make you leave, you will not be allowed to take your pet.

Before a storm hits, make sure your pet is wearing an ID collar, with contact information for your and for a close friend or relative. You should also make sure you have a current picture of your pet, in case you become separated during the storm. You should get three weeks worth of food and pet supplies, in case you are without power for a long time, or find yourself forced to remain evacuated for a long stretch. Also make sure your pet is current on its vaccinations and that you can easily access their vaccination record. No shelter or hotel will take in an animal without these records. Keep a list of emergency numbers, like your pet’s vet, with you at all times.

If you are going to ride out the storm at home, remember that your pet will likely experience a certain amount of distress. Stay calm and do not coddle or scold your pet. Homeopathic remedies, like peppermint oil on the paws or Pluto’s Pet Calming Spray may help your pet stay calm. Your vet may also be able to provide a tranquilizer to help your animal ride out the storm. Remember to be patient. Let your pet take the lead - if they want to be near you, let them, and if they want to hide, let them do that as well, as long as they are out of harm’s way. Never let an animal outside during a hurricane, even to go to the bathroom, and do not let animals outside after the storm unattended until officials have given you the clear. Even then, make sure your pets are not in danger from debris or downed electrical lines.

A rule of thumb when preparing to get your pets through a hurricane is that if it is not safe for you, then it is not safe for your pet. Prepare for their needs much the same way you prepare for your own, and they should make it through the storm safe and sound.

 

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