Along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, hurricane season is an annual event to plan for — and pets need to be part of that plan. Preparing early turns a stressful evacuation into a manageable one.
- 🐶 Dogs: Fresh water daily and a consistent walk schedule do more for a dog's mood and health than almost any gadget.
- 🐠 Fish: Feed only what your fish finish in a couple of minutes; leftover food is a top cause of poor water quality.
- 🦜 Birds: Avoid non-stick (PTFE) cookware fumes and scented aerosols near birds — their airways are very sensitive.
Plan before the storm
The core rule from emergency experts: if it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets — never leave them behind. Decide in advance where you'll go, and identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels or friends/family outside the danger zone, since not all shelters accept pets.
Make sure every pet has a secure carrier or leash and current ID and microchip information before a storm is on the way.
Build the kit
Assemble a pet emergency kit: several days of food and water, medications and medical records in a waterproof container, bowls, litter or waste bags, a carrier, a leash, and a recent photo of you with your pet. Refresh food, water and medications periodically so the kit stays current.
Keep the kit somewhere you can grab quickly, and review your plan at the start of each season.
Key Takeaways for Pet Owners
- Never leave pets behind — if it's unsafe for you, it's unsafe for them
- Identify pet-friendly shelters or lodging in advance
- Keep carriers, current ID and microchip info ready
- Build a waterproof kit: food, water, meds, records, bowls and a photo
- Review the plan at the start of each hurricane season