Hurricane preparation is part of life in South Florida, but an emergency plan should account for every member of your household, including your pets.

Waiting until a storm is approaching can make it much harder to find supplies, refill medications, arrange transportation, or determine where you can safely evacuate with a dog or cat. Preparing in advance can help make an already stressful situation safer and more manageable.

Here are several steps South Florida pet owners can take before severe weather arrives.

Create a Pet Emergency Kit

Your pet should have an emergency supply kit that can be quickly transported if you need to leave home.

Consider including several days of your pet’s regular food and drinking water along with bowls, medications, an extra leash or harness, waste bags, litter and a portable litter box for cats, basic first-aid materials, and comfort items.

Keep supplies together in a waterproof or easily transportable container.

If your pet requires prescription medication or has a chronic medical condition, discuss emergency supplies with your veterinarian before hurricane conditions develop.

Keep Identification Updated

Storms can create unfamiliar and frightening situations for pets. Doors may be opened frequently, fences can be damaged, and animals may escape while families are evacuating or moving supplies.

Make sure your dog or cat wears identification containing current contact information.

If your pet is microchipped, verify that the registration includes your current phone number and other relevant details. A microchip is most useful when the associated contact information is accurate.

Recent photographs of your pet can also be useful if you become separated.

Know Where You Can Evacuate With Your Pet

Do not assume every hotel, shelter, or temporary accommodation will accept animals.

Research pet-friendly evacuation options before hurricane season and identify several possible destinations. Requirements can vary, so check whether a location requires vaccination records, identification, carriers, or other documentation.

Cats and smaller pets should have appropriately sized carriers ready to use. Dogs should have secure leashes, collars, or harnesses.

If an evacuation order is issued, leaving earlier can help reduce the stress of traveling with an animal and provide more options for finding suitable accommodations.

Keep Important Veterinary Information Accessible

Maintain an accessible copy of your pet’s important medical information.

This may include:

• Vaccination records
• Current medications and dosages
• Existing medical conditions
• Microchip information
• Your primary veterinarian’s contact information
• Information for a nearby emergency veterinary hospital

Digital copies can be useful, but consider keeping important information available offline in case internet or cellular service is interrupted.

Pets with complex medical needs may require additional planning. Talk with your veterinarian about what supplies, medications, or precautions your pet may need during an extended power outage or evacuation.

Prepare for Power Outages

Hurricanes can cause extended losses of electricity and air conditioning, which can create additional health risks for pets in South Florida.

Indoor temperatures can rise quickly. Make sure pets have ventilation, shade, and access to clean water. Never leave an animal inside a parked vehicle as an alternative to an unair-conditioned home.

Pets that are especially vulnerable to heat, including flat-faced dogs and cats, seniors, overweight pets, and animals with certain respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, may require additional precautions.

Reduce Storm-Related Stress

Thunder, wind, changing air pressure, alarms, and disruption to the household can make hurricanes frightening for pets.

Create a secure indoor area where your pet can remain away from windows and exterior doors. Familiar bedding, toys, carriers, and other items may help create a more comfortable environment.

Keep pets indoors well before severe weather begins. Even animals that normally spend time outside should not be left outdoors during a tropical storm or hurricane.

If your pet has a history of severe storm anxiety, speak with your veterinarian before hurricane season rather than waiting until a storm is approaching.

Have a Plan for Veterinary Emergencies

Severe weather can result in injuries, toxin exposures, heat-related illness, gastrointestinal problems, and other medical emergencies.

Know where you would seek veterinary treatment before an emergency occurs. If your pet depends on ongoing specialty care, make sure you understand how to manage their medical needs if travel becomes difficult or normal routines are interrupted.

Prepare Before the Forecast Becomes Urgent

Pet hurricane preparedness is much easier when supplies, records, transportation, and evacuation plans are organized in advance.

Review your emergency kit periodically, replace expired food and medications, update identification information, and adjust your plan whenever your pet’s medical needs change.

Miami Veterinary Specialists provides emergency and specialty veterinary care for pets in South Florida. If your pet experiences an urgent medical problem before, during, or after severe weather, contact a veterinary professional as soon as it is safe to do so.