Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared?

Pets can’t make their own plans for severe weather, but you can! As a pet parent, it is your job to include your pets in your emergency plans with the rest of your family. Preparing for all potential emergencies is critical to saving lives, both human and animal.

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will encounter less difficulty, stress, and worry during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate, too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured, or worse.

Make a Plan:

• Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. Have a listing of pet-friendly accommodations, boarding facilities, veterinarian offices, and clinics outside your immediate area.
• Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
• Microchip your pet. Make sure your address and phone are up to date and include an emergency contact.
• Get vaccinations up to date. Ensure your pets are up to date on vaccines, spayed/neutered, and in good health. Keep copies of veterinary records and veterinarian information with you.

Build a Kit for Your Pet

Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.

Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:

• Food – Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water – Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
• Medicine – Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
• First aid kit – Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
• Collar with ID tag and a leash – Include a backup leash, collar, and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
• Traveling bag, crate, or sturdy carrier – One for each pet.
• Grooming items – Pet shampoo, conditioner, and other items are useful if your pet needs some cleaning up.
• Sanitation needs – Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
• A picture of you and your pet together – If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
• Familiar items – Put favorite toys, treats, or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.

Prepare Pets for Travel

When evacuating your home, it’s important to bring your pets. Because you may need to put your cat or dog into a pet carrier, it’s important that they’re comfortable with the experience. Follow these tips to reduce their stress.

• Leave the carrier out in places your pet frequently visits.
• Leave the carrier open.
• Feed them treats near the carrier – you can even try putting a few treats inside the carrier.
• Add a favorite blanket or small bed inside the carrier so it smells familiar.
• Make note of where your pets hide, so you can easily find them in case you have to leave your house quickly.

Tips for Large Animals

If you have pets such as horses, goats, or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster.

In addition to the tips above:

• Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
• Evacuate animals earlier, whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
• Have vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal available. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.
• Ensure your evacuation destinations can provide food, water, veterinary care, and handling equipment.
• If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to a barn or turn them loose outside.

Stay Informed

Be prepared and stay informed of current conditions.

• Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts for local and state warnings sent by public safety officials.
• Listen to local officials when told to evacuate or shelter in place.
• Download the FEMA app and get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations in the United States.
• Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.

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