Preparing a Pet Plan: Hurricane Preparedness

By: Celeste Mazloum

Since we are in the midst of hurricane season, it is essential to be fully prepared in case a storm is headed your way.

It’s important to have a plan in place that accounts for every family member, including your pet. For many of us, our pets aren’t simply animals; they are family. They rely on us for food, shelter, and safety, just as much as we rely on them for companionship. This month we are focusing on making sure your furry friends are prepared and safe during a storm.

If you stay home, stay together in a safe indoor area. It is best to keep your pet in a crate or carrier with an up-to-date collar and tag. In the event that your pet gets lost, their tags and collars can help identify them and return them home.

However, if you must evacuate your home, DO NOT leave your pet behind. There are pet-friendly shelters available during emergencies.

Pet-Friendly Evacuation Centers accept:

• dogs
• cats
• birds
• ferrets
• gerbils
• guinea pigs
• hamsters
• mice
• rats
• small rabbits (under 10 pounds, such as California or Dutch breeds)

Two centers in Miami-Dade that accept families with pets during emergencies are:

1. E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion
   10901 SW 24th St.
   Miami, FL 33199
2. Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High
   1410 County Line Road
   Miami, FL 33179

Additional evacuation centers will be announced as needed, and pre-registration is not required for pets. However, it’s important to note that there is a limit of four pets per household, and not all evacuation centers accept pets!

As soon as you arrive at the center, your pet will be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If the pet presents a safety risk, it will not be allowed access to the evacuation center.

There are a few things you must bring to the shelter:

1. Proof of residency within an evacuation zone. Examples include a valid photo identification and a recent utility bill that shows the current address for the adult registrant.
2. Medical and current vaccination records for each pet. Annual rabies vaccinations and a visible Miami-Dade County dog license are required to ensure a rabies-free community. Cats are also required to have annual rabies vaccinations.
3. Supplies for you and your pet, which would be covered in your Pet Emergency Kit (which you will learn about at the end of this article).

At least one family member must stay in the evacuation center with the pet. They are responsible for keeping their pet under control, which might be easiest in a crate or on a leash. If your pet becomes anxious or aggressive, you are responsible for keeping them calm or muzzling them. If you need to monitor your pet, follow the directions of the responders providing emergency services. Additionally, if your pet needs to be washed of contaminants, you are expected to wash them down following the directions of emergency responders. Lastly, pets that become a threat to responders or others may be placed under the control of an animal control officer.

It’s important to note that pet-friendly shelters are meant for domestic pets. Service animals are permitted in all types of hurricane or disaster shelters, including general population shelters managed by the American Red Cross, special needs shelters, and pet-friendly shelters.

To ensure you are prepared, keep a pet emergency kit that contains the necessary pet supplies.

This list should include:

1. Dry/Wet food for at least 2 weeks
2. A manual can opener for canned food
3. A two-week supply of water
4. Bowls for food and water
5. A portable carrier, for each pet, large enough to stand and turn around
6. Dog leash and muzzle (if required)
7. Dog license/ID on collar
8. State/Federal issued ID of pet owner
9. Proof of rabies vaccine
10. Medications
11. Litter scooper (for your cat)
12. Paper towels
13. Disinfectant
14. Hand Sanitizer
15. Plastic poop bags
16. Toys
17. Training pads

Make sure that everyone in the family knows where the kit is stored and that it is easily accessible when you need to leave to go to a shelter.

If you still have questions, you can visit miamidade.gov/emergency for more information. During hurricane season, it’s essential to have all your preparations in order in advance for every member of the family.