HURRICANE
Are Your Pets Prepared?

The separation or loss of a pet can have a profound impact on a family! We should make every effort to insure our pets are safe and with us. A written disaster plan, particularly in households with pets can lessen a disaster's impact and save lives!

Advanced planning is essential and could save your pet(s) life and the best recommended plan is to take your pet with you when and if you have to evacuate. REMEMBER- Public Shelters Do Not Allow Pets!

All facilities in a disaster area may be subject to some degree of damage or flooding. If you are thinking of boarding your pet, consider the difficulties of providing a healthy environment without electricity, running water, plus limited supplies and personnel! What provisions does the boarding facility have? Where is it?

BEFORE A STORM EMERGENCY

Advance Planning Is Essential
It Could Save Your Pet(s) Life
You Do Not Have To Jeopardize Your Lives
For Your Pets(s)
When You Are Prepared !!!

  • Acquire a pet carrier or cage for EACH dog, cat, bird or small animal. Make sure it is large enough for each pet to comfortabley stand up and turn around inside. Exceptions can be made to house more than one animal per carrier but DO NOT mix different animal species together. Frightened animals may exhibit behavior changes.
  • Take time to familiarize your pet(s) in the carrier or crate until it feels secure and comfortable in it.
  • Vaccinate your pet(s) by June 1. Consult your veterinarian for the neccessary vaccinations for each pet. Healthy pets have a greater chance of surviving the stresses of a storm. Infectious diseases can become a BIG threat following a disaster. Rabies exists in the wildlife and without proper precautions is fatal to people and animals.
  • Provide Identification! The better animals are identified, the greater the chances of reuniting them to their original rightful owners. Current license and rabies tags on a properly fitted collar, by micro-chipping or tattooing. Using more than one ID can improve the odds. Consider placing an ID tag with an out-of-state contact name & address along with your local information on its collar. Don't forget to place ID on the carriers!
  • Photos! Take clear, color photos (frontal, left and right sides) and store with your pets license, health records and ownership papers in a waterproof carrier to take with you.

    Make Your Pet Emergency Kit

  • Carrier or portable kennel for each pet.
  • Pet(s) ownership, registration, photos, health papers
  • A leash and properly fitted collars/harness to restrain each pet
  • Non-spill food and water dishes
  • Water in non-breakable containers, 14 day supply (double what your pets consumes on an average day)
  • Food supply (14 day)and manual can opener
  • Special medications, dosage and care instructions
  • Grooming equipment and hygiene items
  • Toys, blankets and special comfort itmes
  • Cleanser and disinfectant to properly handle wastes
  • Newspapers/litter, scooper, plastic bags for wastes
  • Pet First Aid Kit

    • PET FIRST AID KIT

  • HEMOSTAT or TWEEZERS for grabbing onto things like sticks, thorns, ticks, or anything else that may be caught in your pet's mouth or skin.
  • THERMOMETER (normal temp in dogs and cats is 101 to 102 degrees F). A low temperature can indicate a very sick amimal or hypothermia. In either case it is very important to warm the animal. A high temp can indicate infection or hyperthermia. Temps above 106 or 107 degrees can cause brain damage.
  • SCISSORS to cut tape, gauze and to clip hair around wounds.
  • GAUZE PADS AND ROLL OF GAUZE to clean, cover and cushion injuries. The rolled gauze can be used for tourniquet or muzzle
  • ADHESIVE TAPE or sticky bandage or roll of Vet Wrap
  • IODINE PREP SOLUTION. Antiseptic solution for cleansing wounds or burns.
  • ALCOHOL PREP PADS. Used to clean scissors, tweezers and hands. (Do not use on wounds)
  • TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT. Inhibits bacterial growth in cuts and abrasions. Promotes wound healing
  • STYPIC POWDER. This is most useful for stopping bleeding caused by torn toenails
  • BENEDRYL: Works well in reducing allergic reactions to insect bites. These reactions can be serious if a pet is stung in the mouth, since sweling could block the windpipe. Please check with your Vet before using for the right dosage
  • RESCUE REMEDY (give 2 drops on tongue every 5-15 mins. in case of shock. This can be used any time an animal is stressed.
  • 325 mg BUFFERED ASPRIN Please check with your vet for correct dosage. Used for reducing inflamation from sore muscles or joints. TYLENOL IS POISONOUS TO CATS. Check with your vet before giving any meds. You may tape the correct dosages for your pets inside the first aid kit.
  • BLANKET Animals often go into shock when injured. A blanket will help keep them warm

    WHEN A STORM THREATENS

  • Bring your pet(s) indoors when a hurricane warning is declared. Reassure your pet(s) with a soothing manner and voice. Remember your pets can feel your stress and emotional state.
  • Do not leave a dog with a cat even if they are normally friendly with each other. The storm can alter animal behavior and instincts will override any training.
  • If you must evacuate, take your pet(s) and their emergency kits along with you. If it is unsafe for you to remain, it is unsafe for your pet(s) as well.
  • When a tropical storm is named, call ahead and make reservations at a motel/hotel located away from coastal and river areas. Ask the number of pets allowed and fees. Some motels/hotels will change their policies and accept pets in an emergency situation, but call ahead first.


    • After The Disaster

    Provide a Safe Environment! Clear an area free of debris. Use restraint measures to limit animals to "clean" areas and prevent injury to your animals (leashes, fencing). Spoiled foods need to be stored in durable plastic bags (eg. 4 mil plastic bags) or containers until trash pickup resumes. Bleach sprinkled over spoiled food can help reduce odors. Domestic and wild animals will be confused because of the loss of their territoral markers. They will be attracted to poorly disgarded food, potenially becoming a threat to family and pets or becoming ill themselves.

    IF You Must Leave Your Pet

    If for some unfortunate reason you must leave your pet. Please provide enough food and water out for a couple of days in a high place that your pets can reach. Don't forget to leave your cat a litter box. This should also be up high. In the case of flooding you should also leave a blanket or something similar on your roof. This will provide your pets a place to sit/lay to prevent paws from burning on the roof material until help can arrive.

    If your pet is hurt or lost, listen to emergency broadcasts for the ANIMAL HOT LINE. Special community Bulletin Boards for animal relief information will be posted, when possible, during times of severly limited communications in your area.

    National Lost Pet Hotline 1-900-535-1515
    National Found Hot Line 1-800-755-8111

    American Red Cross - Pets
    Weather Net
    Disaster Kit-American Red Cross

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