How to Keep Your Pet Safe During a Hurricane
With Helene and Milton hitting so recently, it’s on a lot of people’s minds how to keep their pet safe if another hurricane hits close to home. Here are six ideas you could implement next time you know a big storm is headed your way.
1. Be Informed
Even if you don’t love watching the news, it’s important to check in every now and then to help you stay ready as a storm approaches. Be sure to note whether you are in an evacuation zone, or under a shelter in place advisory. One of the best ways to keep your pet safe is to keep yourself informed and ready to make the safest moves.
Don’t forget to fully charge your phone before the storm hits, and charge power banks as well if you have them. It can also be helpful to have flashlights ready to go in case the power goes out, and to fill your car with gas ahead of time— even if you plan to stay home.
2. Gather What You Need for Your Pet
If there’s a chance you might have to evacuate quickly, it’s a great idea to pack a bag ahead of time with your pet’s favorite treats, food (if it doesn’t need refrigeration), travel food and water bowls, leashes, harnesses, carriers, medications, medical records, pee pads, poop bags, favorite toys, a favorite blanket or bed depending on how much room you have to bring items, litter and a litter box, and photos of your pet in case they get separated from you.
It’s a good idea to have a two week supply of food and water if possible. If your pet usually eats a type of food needing refrigeration, either stock up on dry food so you’re not dependent on the refrigerated food, get a generator, or have a cooler stocked with ice and their food already when the storm hits. Having bottled water for you and your pet would be smart as well— after a large storm has passed, tap water may not be safe to drink, and bottled water may be difficult to find.
3. Make Sure Your Pet Can Be Identified
Just in case you get separated from your pet, make sure they have a collar with an ID with their name and your contact information. It can also be a great idea to have them microchipped. Another idea is to have them wear a collar with a GPS so you’re able to locate them if they run off. Just keep in mind if cell service is down after the storm, they may not be trackable right away.
4. Stay In a Safe Place
If you are staying home, make sure you and your pet stay in a safe room when the storm hits— preferably an inner room away from windows. In these situations, it’s a great idea to have your pet’s bed and blanket in there (if they have those), as well as treats, toys, a flashlight, medication, some food and water, litter box and/or pee pads if applicable, just in case it takes awhile for the storm to pass.
5. Manage Pet Anxiety
One of the best ways to manage pet anxiety is to try to manage your own— which I know can be a lot easier said than done! Try to remain calm though if possible. Your pet picks up on it if you’re stressed, and seeing you upset will likely upset them.
If you know your pet struggles with anxiety during storms, one idea is to talk with your vet about it before the storm hits. They may recommend a medication or calming supplement to help your fur baby get through the worst of the storm.
It can also be helpful to play a movie or music to help drown out the noise of the storm (if you have a working device during the storm). Another idea is to read out loud— this gives you something more fun to think about, and your fur baby will likely be calmer as they hear your voice peacefully reading.
One of the biggest ways to calm your pet is just to be with them. Cuddling them and speaking soothingly to them can go a long way in helping them feel safe and calm.
6. Be Ready for Worst Case Scenarios
I always like to plan for the worst just in case, but hope for the best. If it looks like you’re in an area that may be hit pretty bad and you are planning to stay home, it’s a good idea to have things ready in case you need to get out of your house. As dramatic as it might sound, having a rope and axe on hand could be smart, just in case you need to create an opening somewhere to get to safety. Also having trash bags and strong tape on hand could be helpful in the case windows are blown out and you want to block rain from coming in. It’s also good to have your most important items in a go bag— such as your ID, keys, medication, food and water, first aid, power banks, and a flashlight.
Also, take photos of any items you think would be covered by insurance— just in case, it can be really helpful in case your home is flooded or otherwise damaged. If you have fancy pet items such as a litter-robot or expensive dog bed, don’t forget pictures of those!
Note down your local animal control center’s number ahead of time to call in case your pet is lost. If you live in Harrisburg, the Cabarrus County Animal Control number is (704) 920-3288. Posting on sites like NextDoor and Facebook can also be helpful in asking the community if they’ve seen your pet.
Stay safe! And if there’s anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to let us know.