Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. The Humane Society and FLASH are urging pet owners to ACT NOW to properly prepare pets in the likely case of a hurricane.
Pet Owners have three options in the event of a hurricane:
- Keep your pet with you at a secure, storm-prepared location (Red Cross shelters do not accept pets).
- Take your pet with you to a friends or family members house or to a hotel in a safe zone. This should be prearranged to avoid surprise and confusion.
- Leave your pet with a friend in a safe zone or board it at a veterinary clinic or kennel.
All pet boarding facilities require up-to-date vaccinations and proper identification.
- Update your pets vaccinations.
- Purchase tags and have your pet implanted with a microchip (tags and microchips used together are the most effective way of identifying pets).
- Carry a current picture of you with your pet and its medical records with you at all times.
Following is a list of supplies to have prepared for your pet:
- Portable carrier (large enough for the pet to stand up and turn around in)
- Extra leash and collar
- Extra identification tag
- Pet food at least a two-week supply of dry food in water-tight container or canned food (manual can opener needed)
- Water at least a two-week supply of clean water large dogs need one gallon per day
- Up-to-date health records
- Medications flea and tick preventative and two-month supply of heartworm preventative medication
- Litter/newspapers
- Toys and treats
- Towels
- First aid supplies
- Recent photo of you with your pet
