Hurricane preparedness: Plan now to keep your pets safe when a storm strikes

As we enter hurricane season — June 1 to Nov. 30 each year — and you begin to make preparations for what to do in case of a storm, be sure your plans include your pets.

Hurricanes can be dangerous and deadly for pets, just as they are for people, and it’s important to take measures to keep them safe during storms.

If you’re not sure where to start in adding your pets to your hurricane preparation checklist, we’ve compiled these tips, using information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Here’s what to know about keeping your pets safe during a hurricane or tropical storm.

Make a hurricane emergency kit for your pet

One of the best ways to prepare for hurricanes and other natural disasters is to make emergency kits for your household, with enough food and water for several days, batteries, flashlights and more.

Your pets should have an emergency kit, too.

FEMA recommends including the following items in your household pet’s emergency kit:

• Several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container. As a rule of thumb, pack enough food for three to seven days.
• A water bowl and several days’ supply of water. Pack enough water for three to seven days
• An extra supply of the medicine your pet takes. Put the medicine in a waterproof container.
• A leash, backup leash, collar, updated ID and rabies tag.
• Copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents. Put the documents in a waterproof container and have them available electronically or digitally, if possible.
• Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier for each pet.
• Grooming items, such as pet shampoo and other items.
• Pet litter and litter box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
• A picture, such as a selfie, of you and your pet together. “If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a photo will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet,” FEMA says.
• Familiar items, such as favorite toys, treats or bedding. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet during an emergency.

Evacuating from a hurricane with your pets

If you decide to evacuate your home, or you are asked to do so by local officials, your pets should evacuate with you.

▪ When you evacuate, bring both your own emergency supply kits and those for your pets.

▪ If you think you may be asked to evacuate, FEMA suggests practicing evacuating with your pets by riding them around in a vehicle similar to the one you will use to evacuate. This will help them feel more comfortable if or when you actually evacuate.

▪ You should also get your pets familiar and comfortable with the carrier they’ll be in when you evacuate, if applicable.

▪ If you are planning to head to a shelter when you evacuate, you should keep in mind that not all shelters are pet-friendly. Make a plan in advance for where you’ll go, and know whether they will accept pets. You may decide to stay with an out-of-town friend or family member, or at a hotel, instead of at a shelter, if you can’t find a pet-friendly shelter option.

How to find pet-friendly emergency shelters

If you’re searching for pet-friendly shelters or hotels to use when you evacuate from a hurricane, the CDC suggests the following online resources:

▪ bringfido.com (also available by phone at 877-411-FIDO)

▪ dogfriendly.com (also available by phone at 888-281-5170)

▪ pet-friendly-hotels.net (also available by phone at 866-966-3046)

▪ petswelcome.com

▪ tripswithpets.com

You can also check with local animal shelters, local governments or local relief organizations to see if they will offer pet-friendly shelters, or know of organizations that will, during the storm.

Sheltering in place with pets during a hurricane

If you are not asked to evacuate and decide to shelter in place during a hurricane, the CDC offers these tips for how to keep your pets safe and comfortable while you ride out the storm:

▪ When you pick a room to shelter in, make sure it’s as safe as possible — typically, interior rooms with no, or few, windows is best.

▪ Remove any tools, chemicals or plants in the room that could be toxic or harmful to your pet.

▪ If you have cats, close off any small areas of the room that they could get stuck in, such as vents or beneath heavy furniture.

Caring for large animals during a hurricane

If you have large animals, such as horses, pigs, cows or goats, FEMA offers additional advice for caring for those animals during an emergency and ensuring their safety:

• Ensure all animals have some sort of identification, such as a tag or collar.
• Evacuate large animals early, if possible. If you think you and your family may need to evacuate during the storm, plan ahead and relocate any large animals before you evacuate yourself. Map out primary and secondary evacuation routes in advance to help you plan for this.
• Have vehicles and trailers available for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make sure you have experienced handlers and drivers available to transport your animals, especially if you are unable to do so.
• Ensure your evacuation destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment available for your animals.
• If evacuation is not possible, FEMA says, you “must decide whether to move large animals to a barn or turn them loose outside.”

Additional resources

For more information on how to keep your pets safe during hurricanes and other natural disasters, you can visit:

▪ ready.gov/pets

▪ cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies.html

This story was originally published June 5, 2022 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Hurricane preparedness: Plan now to keep your pets safe when a storm strikes."

Korie Dean

The News & Observer

919-335-8507

Korie Dean covers higher education in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer, where she is also part of the state government and politics team. She is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifelong North Carolinian.