Pawsitively Prepared: Essential Steps to Keep Pets Safe During Storms and Hurricanes, from KUA

When it comes to severe weather like tropical storms and hurricanes, humans can be at risk, but our pets can be at risk as well. In and around Osceola County we are prone to severe weather year-round, but from June through November, which is hurricane season, we do our best to be extra-prepared in case tropical weather comes our way. Here are some tips that KUA has provided from their 2023 Hurricane Guide to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet during severe storms.

WHAT TO DO WITH PETS WHEN PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE

Gather up pedigree and health records (including vaccination records) and lists of special dietary or other needs for your family’s pets. Keep this information together so you have quick access to it.
Include contact information for your family veterinarian in the “Important Numbers and Notes” page of this handbook.
Keep at least a one-month supply of any food and medications your pets may need, including flea and tick treatments, special shampoos, dietary supplements, etc. Label them clearly with your pet’s name and instructions for safe use of each product.
Keep blankets, toys, and cleaning supplies including paper towels, spray bottles and trash bags in air tight bags within a plastic tote container.
Be sure to have enough pet carriers, leashes, muzzles and any other restraining equipment you might need, and label them with your pet’s name, your name and your contact information.
Decide ahead of time whether you will leave your pets at home, board them, or take them with you if you decide to evacuate.

BOARDING

It won’t help to board pets anywhere within the area threatened by a hurricane — they won’t be any safer than they would be at home. Choose boarding facilities well out of the threatened area, and make arrangements in advance to get your pets to that location.
Budget for boarding costs of $20 or more per animal per night, depending on the animal’s size and special needs.

HOTELS

If you plan to keep pets with you in a hotel, motel or campground, confirm ahead of time that the facility will accept your pets.
Study your travel map ahead of time to determine where you will be able to stop to feed, water and exercise your pet.

STAYING AT HOME

The safest thing to do is evacuate before a hurricane ever arrives — but if for some reason you can’t evacuate (or choose not to evacuate), make plans to keep your pets indoors until the emergency is over.
Don’t let pets go outdoors until you’re certain it’s safe. Be sure power lines, dangerous tree limbs, wildlife and other hazards have been addressed before any family member or pet goes outdoors alone.

SHELTERS

Ideally, it is best for pet owners not to rely on pet-friendly shelters; they should make plans in advance to take pets with them to a location out of the threatened area. However, if no other option exists, pet-friendly shelters will serve as locations where pets and their owner can stay in the same building.

Owners should bring the following supplies:

A crate to house your pet with enough room to stand up, lie down, and stretch out
Label crates with pet owner’s name and phone number
Medications stored in a waterproof bag
Food that is in a waterproof bag, water and bowls
Blankets and toys
Cleaning supplies including paper towels, spray bottles and trash bags
A leash and harness collar with identification tags
Veterinary records for each pet in an air-tight bag