Taking time for hurricane planning with pets and creating your pet disaster preparedness tool kit will help you feel confident in your emergency plan, limit stress in an emergency, and ensure you and your pet have the items you need to ensure your safety and well-being.
Warmer weather is here to stay as Fall quickly approaches, and unfortunately, with that comes hurricane season. From June through November, preparing for unexpected severe weather emergencies is imperative if you live in Florida, and Brevard County is no exception.
Be mindful that beachside cities to barrier islands such as Merritt Island will likely be under mandatory evacuation during stronger named storms, while mainland cities such as Rockledge, Viera, and Suntree will be under an advisory even at Category 3 and possibly Category 4 hurricane advisory levels across Brevard County. Be sure to make an informed decision on whether you and your pets will stay or evacuate ahead of the storm.
Now, let’s get to making those emergency kits!
Hurricane Planning With Pets: Your Disaster Preparedness Tool Kit Checklist
A grab-and-go bag with pet care supplies is an easy solution to limit last-minute packing and avoid forgetting essential care supplies. We recommend the items below, but add any other items you feel are necessary for your specific pet care needs.
Food and Water
Pack pet food in watertight containers with portable pet bowls. Include plenty of clean drinking water. A 7-10 day supply is recommended.
Medication
Include a supply of your pet’s medicines, including flea and tick treatment and heartworm medications.
Collar and Leash
It is wise to pack an extra collar and leash in case of a rushed emergency when you may not have time to find a misplaced collar or leash. A harness can also come in handy, and you can use the handle to buckle your pup in your vehicle using the seatbelt.
First Aid Kit when hurricane planning with pets
We suggest this pet-specific first aid and hurricane emergency kit for your home.
Toys
Include items that will provide comfort and mental stimulation for your pet, helping it relieve a stressful situation. If you are sheltering with others, you may want to consider quieter toys (aka no squeakers!!).
Carriers
Have appropriately sized carriers that are easily accessible in an emergency evacuation. If your pet is unfamiliar with using a crate, train them to go in and out and show them a crate is a safe place. This will save you time trying to load your pet securely and limit the stress your pet may feel during an evacuation. Ensure your pet’s name and contact information are clearly labeled on the carrier.
Emergency Contacts & Resources When Hurricane Planning With Pets
Create an emergency contact list to leave in your disaster preparedness tool kit. This should include the following contact information:
- Emergency Contact
- Vet & ER Animal Hospital
- Pet-Friendly Hotels
- Local Evacuation Routes & Shelters
Microchip Your Pet!
Lastly, be sure that your pet is microchipped with up-to-date contact information. If your pet escapes, this will provide a backup plan to ensure your fur baby finds its way home. Keep a current, clear photo of your pet in a sealed plastic bag on hand if you need it for search efforts.
Create Your Hurricane Emergency Plan With Pets in Brevard County
In addition to creating your pet disaster preparedness tool kit, ensure you have your emergency plan. Know your local zone for area-specific emergency information. Be sure to include county-specific emergency management information on your emergency contact sheet. If you have special needs, be aware that special needs shelters are available, but these do not allow animals. Animals can be picked up and taken to a shelter for care, but they need their pet emergency kit ready.
Keep Your Contact Information Up-To-Date
Lastly, ALWAYS update local emergency contact information in your online client profile so that if you are away and your pet sitter cannot travel due to state and local restrictions, they can contact your emergency contact to take care of your pet. This is always a last resort, but it is a critical step to ensure your pet’s safety in an emergency.
Space Coast Pet Services management will be in close and regular contact with pet parents during severe weather events affecting the Space Coast. There may be times without power, and electronic communication may not be readily available. Outlining your family’s emergency pet care plan ahead of time will be essential to helping us execute it in the safest way possible. Together, let’s be calm at the height of the storm, knowing your fur babies are healthy and safe and have a solid pet care plan.
Staying Local With Pets During a Hurricane in Brevard County
If you choose to stay local, keep up-to-date with the latest storm information emergency management officials provide. Please stay off the road as much as possible and plan to hunker down until it is safe to go outside. For dogs, you can line a kiddie pool with plastic (I cut open a large garbage bag) and fill it with sod. This can be an indoor potty station when you can’t go outside.
Keep all pets away from windows and close to you, and if you MUST go outside, put your dog on a leash. Until you can confirm no safety risks, such as a down fence, flooding, or sharp branches and shingles, can injure them, it’s best to keep them with you and avoid the risk of accidental escape or injury.
Feel free to comment below if you have tried-and-true hurricane planning tips for other pet parents in Brevard County, FL.
Stay safe, Brevard!
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