Preparing Pets for Hurricane Season
Palmetto, Fla. — September is National Preparedness Month, coinciding with the peak of hurricane season. Marisa Gerlach, an instructor at Dogs Inc., emphasizes the importance of including pets in disaster preparedness plans well in advance of a storm.
Pet Disaster Kits
Gerlach recommends that pet owners prepare a disaster kit similar to their own. Essential items for the kit should include:
- Dry and wet food
- Drinking water
- Collapsible food bowls
- A pet first-aid kit
- An extra leash or collar
- Pet wipes
Additionally, keeping medications and veterinary records, including rabies information and proof of up-to-date vaccinations, is crucial. She advises, “Don’t wait till the last minute, because if you do go to a shelter, they’re going to need to see all of that.”
Shelter Considerations
Meteorologist Josh Linker points out that only a few shelters accept pets, and these should be considered a last resort. Gerlach suggests identifying potential evacuation locations beforehand. “If I ever have to evacuate my home, where can I go? Call family, friends, people you work with,” she says.
Gerlach approaches her pets’ safety like that of her children, emphasizing the responsibility of pet ownership: “They rely on me for care, and we want what’s best for them.”
