Keep Your Pets in Mind When You Prepare for Hurricane Season

Release Date Release Number
228
Release Date:
July 16, 2018

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – When preparing for an emergency, keep in mind: What’s good for you is good for your pet.

Hurricanes Irma and María revealed that vaccinations and identification tags are important measures to keep your pets safe. Keep their vaccinations updated to reduce their risk of contracting potentially deadly bacterial diseases. Also keep your contact information up-to-date, including having a microchip with your information implanted in your pet.

When preparing pets for hurricane season, consider the following:

 

Make a Plan

  • Arrange a safe room at home for your pets. It should be clear of hazards such as tools, debris or toxic products.
  • Seek out a nearby shelter. Ask about the type of pets they accept, any limits on size or other pet-specific restrictions.
  • Designate someone to take care of your pet. Consider a trusted person who has interacted with your pet.
  • Get a proper pet carrier. Look at this as an investment, not an expense.

Prepare an Emergency Kit (For 10 days or more if there are no basic utilities). It should include:

  • Food and water.
  • Basic first-aid kit. Include latex gloves and antibiotic ointment.
  • Medicine and important documents.
  • Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash. Pets should wear their collars at all times.
  • Sanitation. Keep newspapers and trash bags handy.
  • Familiar items. Favorite toys, treats and bedding can help reduce stress.
  • A picture of you and your pet together. It can help document ownership and identify your pet.

Other Kinds of Animals

  • Horses. Move hazardous and flammable materials from the barn exits and walkways.
  • Birds. Keep leg bands on for identification and transport them in proper travel cages.
  • Small animals. Guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and gerbils should have enough bedding materials as well as food and water.
  • Farm animals. Plan ahead for a possible evacuation.

Other General Recommendations

  • Always bring pets indoors when disaster threatens.
  • Never leave a pet chained, whether outdoors or indoors.
  • Attach an emergency sticker to your door or window, indicating there are pets in the house. Remove the sticker when you evacuate with your pet.
  • If you must travel by air with your pet, call the airline for specific requirements.

Some available resources

For more on hurricane preparedness, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4339/hurricane-preparedness.

 

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) 711/VRS - Video Relay Service). Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). TTY call 800-462-7585.

 

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