Emergency Preparedness for Pets

It's that time of year again in South Florida....that's right, hurricane season. Here are some quick tips to help make sure both you and your furry family members are prepared for an emergency situation:

1. Be Informed

• Always keep an eye on the weather channel and keep up to date with any storm or extreme weather situations coming your way. 

• You can download the FEMA app to receive weather alerts in your local area. 

https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

2. Have A Plan

• Never leave your pets behind. They can become sick, injured, or lost. 

• Have a neighbor you trust check on them in case you aren't home. 

• Identify pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities near your evacuation area OR plan with an out-of town friend or family member. 

• Identify local veterinarian your evacuation area.

• Make sure your pets are microchipped and up-to-date on all vaccinations in case you need to send them to a boarding facility. 

3. Build An Emergency Kit

Include in your kit:

• Three day supply of food for each pet in an airtight container.

• Three day supply of water for each pet.

• Medicines and medical records, adoption papers, and registration papers.

• First aid kit

• A collar or harness with rabies tag and a leash. 

• Sanitation supplies (poop bags, litter box with litter, puppy pads, Clorox wipes, bags for scooping litter, etc)

• A picture of you and your pet together for proof of ownership should your pet get lost. 

• A crate with familiar items such as chews, toys, and blankets that may help calm your dog in a stressful situation. 

You can find all of this information at the link below as well:

https://www.ready.gov/animals

No one wants to be in an emergency situation, but the better prepared you are, the less stressful things will be for you and your pet.