Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines

Not only should you have a disaster plan for your family, but your pets as well!  Keep up-to-date identification on your pets at all times.   Make sure collars are fitted properly.  Consider implanting your pet with a microchip ID in case tags are lost during the disaster.   

  • Have current color photos of your pets to be kept with your emergency supplies.
  • If you know that a disaster (such as a hurricane) is immediate, bring your pets inside.  Lee County Ordinance prohibits pets from being tethered outside during a storm or hurricane.
  • Because of a greater threat of disease, it is important that your animals be up to date on their vaccinations.
  • If you must evacuate, take your pets with you! Your pet’s best protection is to be with you! 
  • Call ahead to make sure that hotels will accept your animals. Evacuation shelters will not accept pets of any kind.  Click on the following links for pet friendly lodging in Florida and throughout the US: www.petswelcome.com (select "Lodging Listings" then "US Lodging," then select a state and city) or www.hotdealsonhotels.com/pets (select a state and then a city).  You should pick a location outside of the area where the hurricane is projected to hit.
  • Call boarding kennels or veterinarians with boarding facilities to see the possibility of housing them.  Ask if someone will be there with the pets during the hurricane and if their boarding facility is structurally prepared to withstand hurricane force winds. 
  • Ask friends or family to provide temporary foster care for your pets.
  • Lee County's Evacuation Pet Shelter will be open for residents who live in areas that are under manadatory evacuation orders in the area where they live.  This option should be your last resort if you are unable to execute your own personal evacution plan for your family and pets.  It should not be your "evacuation plan."  Please click here for more information on the Evacuation Pet Shelter.

Acquire an impact resistant pet carrier or cage for each animal to use as protection if you are riding out the storm with your pets at home.  Exceptions can be made to house more than one animal per carrier but do not mix different animal species together!  Frightened animals may exhibit behavior changes.  If you evacuate and must leave your pets behind do not leave pets in carriers as they will not be able to get more food and water when needed.  Remember, you may not be able to get back to your house for days or weeks.

A carrier should permit a dog or cat to stand up and turn around in it.  Help your pet to adjust to a carrier as part of routine training to reduce the stress of being confined.  Place additional ID on the carrier.  Birds should have a perch to grasp.  (Birds, however, should be left in their cages for safety.)

Survey your home to determine the safest location away from windows.  Cover large openings of carrier or cage to protect from flying debris.  Provide high areas when there is a risk of flooding.

DISASTER SUPPLIES  FOR YOUR PET (Both for evacuation with pets and riding out the storm with them at home)

  • Portable impact resistant carrier.  Soft carriers do not provide enough protection.
  • Food/water bowls, can opener, spoon
  • A two - three week supply of your pet’s food and water in plastic bottles
  • Pooper scooper and small plastic bags for dogs
  • Litter and litter box for cats
  • At least a one week supply of your pet’s regular medications
  • First aid kit  (Click here for info. on assembling your own kit.)
  • Health records, including vaccination records
  • Instructions on your pet’s feeding schedules and diet, medications, and any special needs
  • Leashes
  • Make sure your pets are wearing proper identification (a collar and a tag).  Create a collar tag listing your pet's medical needs.  Have your pet implanted with a Microchip ID as a permanent form of identification.  Click here for more information on how microchip identification will help your pet in a disaster.
  • Dish soap and disinfectant, paper towels

 

IF YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND

Leaving your pets at home alone will place them at greater risk.  This should not be considered an option when making your hurricane plans.  However, if you have exhausted all options and are unable to evacuate with your pets due to a surprise hit by a hurricane that may have changed course at the last minute you should provide the following when leaving them at home.

  • A room without windows (because of possible broken glass), that still provides ventilation.  Do not confine dogs and cats in the same room or space if possible and do not leave them in carriers.  Small animals and birds should be safely caged.
  • At least a three (3) day supply of food.  More is preferable.
  • Plenty of water (several gallons) that will not easily be knocked over and a dripping faucet if possible (such as the bathtub).
  • Access to a high area that they can reach in case of flooding.
  • Familiar bedding and toys (for comfort).

 

Place a notice on your front door advising what pets are in the house and where they are located.  Provide a telephone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your veterinarian.

If you have a bird, leave food in dispensers that regulate the amount of food.  Supply extra water. Birds must eat daily to survive.  Secure cages so they will not swing or fall.  Cover the cage with a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

PROTECTING LARGE ANIMALS

The leading causes of death in large animals during or following hurricanes are:  collapsed barns, dehydration leading to kidney failure, electrocution from power lines strung over drainage ditches where animals sought refuge, and roadway accidents involving animals wandering outside enclosures.  Barbed wire entanglement adds to the list of life threatening injuries.

If you plan to evacuate animals by trailer, be on the road at least 72 hours before the storm is due to hit.  Heavy traffic and high winds must be avoided.  Have proper papers, health certificates, and vaccination and test records with you.

The safest place for large animals to weather a storm is in a large pasture with both low areas that provide shelter during a storm and higher areas that will not flood after the storm.  Close barn and/or stall doors.   Open all interior pasture gates.  Put ID on all animals and turn large animals out!  They may suffer debris injuries but their chance of survival is better than inside a barn.

Maintain a box with halters, leads, tape, rope, tarps, plastic, and fly spray.  Store in a secure place.  Keep a supply of plastic neck bands with permanent ID markings.  Put metal ID plates on halters.   Halter all horses before the storm.  Shut off main electrical breakers and close gas and water valves.

Store a two week supply of feed and medical supplies.  Medications and bandages should be kept inside the home and in waterproof containers.  Tie down vehicles, livestock trailers, etc., in the middle of the largest open areas away from trees.

PROTECTING YOUR AQUARIUM FISH

  • Use check valves on air lines to prevent backsiphoning
  • Clean filters before the storm
  • Protect glass tanks from flying debris
  • Battery operated air pump or Bait Saver with spray bar
  • Extra water for water changes
  • Large plastic tubs or heavy duty, clear plastic bags
  • Chemical aids - 1) emergency oxygen in water:  add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide; 2) reduce nitrate:  add table salt (1 TBS/10 gallons water); 3) have a commercial ammonia and chlorine remover