The Atlantic Hurricane season occurs June through November annually. Hurricane season means preparing your home, families, and pets for severe weather emergencies. Have a plan in place for your whole family, especially your pets.
Some families choose to prepare to evacuate in the event of major storms while others choose to shelter-in-place. It’s important to have evacuation and safety preparedness plans in place to keep your family safe.
Keep Your Pets With You!
Whether you plan to evacuate, or shelter-in-place this storm season, the most important thing is: keep your pets with you!
Be prepared to move before disaster strikes. Even if you plan to evacuate only for a few hours, bring your pets with you. Keep your pets safely secured in a pet carrier with their collar on when traveling for maximal safety.
Below, we share a list of tasks and emergency supplies pet owners can use to prepare in the event of a hurricane or natural disaster.
Hurricane Preparation Guide For Pets
1. Find a Safe Place to Stay
Make a list of pet-friendly motels, research in several directions and make reservations. You can always cancel with proper notice.
Ask friends and family about staying with them if necessary.
Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to be an emergency contact for your family and pets.
2. Have all pet vaccines up to date
3. Create a PET INFORMATION SHEET per pet
Include the following key details:
Veterinary name, address, and phone number
Health records for each animal
Medical/behavior issues
Feeding/medication schedule
Microchip numbers for each animal
Take a photo of your family and your pet together for proof of ownership and another of just your pet. Laminate this piece of paper, and/or store it in a waterproof ZipLock bag.
4. Make a flyer for each of your pets
Put your pet’s name at the top of the flyer, add photos, your in-state and out-of-state contact information, unusual markings or colorings on the animal, and any other pertinent information
Make 10 copies of each flyer just in case
5. Have a Large Carrier for Each Pet
They should have enough room to stand up and move around as well as room for food and water bowls and a shoebox size litter box, if needed
Mark your name, address, phone numbers, and emergency out-of-state contact information with a permanent marker
Put a laminated label on the carrier with any medications, including dose and frequency, with veterinarian, pharmacy, and your phone numbers.
Line each carrier with a puppy training pad in case of accidents or spills
6. Put Identification on Each Pet
Microchip and register each of your pets
Ensure each pet has a collar and/or harness that includes your pet's name, rabies information, your name, address, and phone numbers
Add an additional tag with emergency out-of-state contact information if needed
Have a spare writable collar or tag for temporary addresses
Hurricane Supply List For PETS:
Click To Expand: Hurricane Supply List For Pets
2 Week Supply of Food Pet Pet
Manual Can Opener
Food and Water Bowls (pack an extra!)
Spoons and Measuring Scoops
2 Week Supply of Water Per Pet
A 10 lb. animal drinks 1 pint (16 oz.) of water per day
A 20 lb. animal drinks 1 quart (32 oz.) of water per day
A 50 lb. animal drinks 1/2 gallon (64 oz.) of water per day
2 Week Supply of Medications Per Pet
Pet First Aid Kit (there are a few different options here!)
2 Week Supply of Cat Litter
Litter Pan and Scooper
Plastic Trash Bags for Waste Management
Cleaning and Miscellaneous Supplies
Paper Towels
Liquid Soap
Clorox Wipes
Grooming Items
Toys and Special Comfort Items
Muzzle (if necessary)
Writeable Collars
Permanent Marker
Puppy Training Pads
Flashlight
Newspapers
Bag clips, can covers
Important Contact Info
(239) 252-7387 | |
(239) 643-1555 | |
(239) 263-8010 | |
(239) 263-0480 | |
1 (888) 426-4435 | |
(239) 596-6868 | |
Collier County Highway Patrol | (239) 354-2377 |
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More Resources on Hurricane Preparedness
Collier County Hurricane Preparedness
Collier County Emergency Management All Hazards Guide
Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services Evacuation Planning Guide
City of Naples Safety & Preparedness