Preparing the Florida Pet for Hurricane Season

Living near the ocean, hurricane preparedness is the topic of much discussion in Florida. Most residents of the coastal states can recite, by heart, the important contents of a hurricane kit, routes to safety, and directions on how to prepare one's home for tropical-force winds. Unfortunately, during all the preparations and excitement, many forget about the family pet until it's too late.

As Florida enters a new hurricane season, the most important thing to remember is to start preparations early. A good rule of thumb is to start with your veterinarian, ensuring that your pet's vaccinations are up to date. You can also ask them if they will be boarding pets, in the event of an evacuation, or if they might suggest a place that will be accepting animals. Most emergency shelters will not accept pets. Knowing that you have a safe place for your pet will lift a large burden from your shoulders.

Never leave your pet alone at home, or in a vehicle, when an evacuation is called. Not only will the storm be traumatizing to your pet, but power outages may cause temperatures to rise to unbearable levels when the storm passes. There are other risks, such as flooding, wind damage, flying debris and the chance that your pet may escape and become hopelessly lost. No matter how sheltered that you think your home or car may be, no matter how much food and water that you think you may be able to make available to your pet, leaving your pet unattended during a hurricane is a dangerous and unnecessary risk to take.

Additionally, just like people, pets should each have their own hurricane kit as well. The following items should be a necessity in any pet's hurricane preparation kit:

- A comfortable carrier to transport your pet in: Bear in mind that this carrier should be large enough that your pet can comfortably turn around and lay down. In the event that an evacuation is called, cage space may be limited and your pet may be restricted to his carrier. Try to ensure he's as comfortable as possible.

- A blanket or bed: This should fit on the bottom of your pet's carrier without blocking air vents. Not only providing a comfortable surface for your pet to lay down, a pet blanket or bed can also help prevent your pet from slipping or falling when their carrier is moved.

- Medical records and medicines: It is essential to know where your pets vaccination record is, and to ensure that all of her shots are up to date, prior to hurricane season. Many shelters will not allow pets to stay if they do not have proof of vaccinations available. Additionally, if your pet needs any type of medication, ensure that you take this along and that you have marked the bottle distinctly with your pet's and your name.

- Food: You should always make sure that your pet has enough dry food to last him several days and that it is stored in an air-tight container. Wet food is not recommended unless you can provide it in single serving containers, due to the fact that refrigeration may not be available. It is also suggested that you post a feeding schedule on the top of your pet's carrier, that will help workers maintain your pet's daily routine and reduce stress factors for him.

- Water: So many people overlook this, but it is very important to supply your pet with a two week's supply of water. Ideally, this should be water drawn from your own tap, that she is used to drinking at home. While we don't always realize this, water can vary from area to area, and a sudden change in food or water can lead to bowel disruption and unnecessary stress. Gallon milk jugs, well rinsed and plainly marked with your pet's name, make idea water storage containers.

- Collars, leashes and harnesses: You will want to ensure that your pet has a well-fitting collar or leash prior to hurricane season, and each has a tag offering owner identification on it. Another inexpensive and painless method of emergency identification for your pet, is to have him micro-chipped. For more information about micro-chipping, contact your veterinarian or local shelter and they will be glad to help you out.

- Contact Information: Be sure to post your name, address and phone number on the top of your pet's carrier. If possible, also provide information on where you are evacuating to. This will allow your pet's caregiver a method of contacting you, should an emergency arise.

We can't stop natural disasters from occurring, but we can prepare so that, when they do happen, everyone can evacuate to a safer place. Ensuring that your pet has his own hurricane preparedness kit will help save time, should an emergency evacuation be called. Following these easy steps will help to keep your four-legged family member as safe and comfortable as possible, as well as reducing your own stress levels during the new hurricane season.