Pensacola residents know that hurricane preparation cannot begin when the roads are crowded and store shelves are empty. The same is true for preparing a dog or cat. A little work before a storm enters the Gulf can make an evacuation faster, safer, and far less stressful.
Pets depend on their owners for every part of an emergency plan. They cannot gather their medicine, find a carrier, or explain their medical history. Those details need to be handled well before Escambia County is placed under a watch or warning.
Start With Identification
Make sure every one of your pets has a collar with a current identification tag. Because collars can come off, a microchip provides an important second form of identification. Check that the registry has your current phone number, email address, and an alternate contact who lives outside the immediate Pensacola area.
It’s really important to keep recent photos of each pet on your phone. Include clear pictures of markings and a picture showing you with your pet. These can make a lost-pet post more more useful.
Build a Pet Evacuation Kit
Store supplies in a waterproof container that can be loaded into the car quickly. A practical kit should include:
- Several days of food and bottled water.
- Food and water bowls.
- Prescription medicines and dosing instructions.
- A leash, harness and secure carrier or crate.
- Waste bags, litter and a small litter pan when needed.
- Towels, bedding and a familiar toy.
- A pet first-aid kit.
- Copies of vaccination and medical records.
- Veterinarian and emergency contact information.
Rotate food, water and medicine so nothing expires unnoticed. If a pet eats a prescription diet, keep enough on hand to avoid searching for it during an evacuation.
Decide Where You Will Go
Don’t think that every hotel or public shelter will allow animals. You might want to identify several pet-friendly destinations in different directions and confirm their current policies. Ask about size limits, deposits, and the number of pets permitted in one room.
If you might use boarding, make arrangements early. Facilities can fill quickly when a storm threatens Northwest Florida. Confirm which vaccinations and records are required before hurricane season. The Pensacola Pets family includes three boarding options: Pensacola Pet Resort, Pensacola Pet Resort Too, and Pensacola Pet Resort Premier. Availability and operating plans will depend on the storm, so call well in advance rather than waiting for an evacuation order.
It’s really important to never leave a pet chained outside or alone in a home that you are evacuating. Conditions can change quickly, and returning may not be possible for days.
Help Anxious Pets Before the Storm
We all know that wind, thunder, pressure changes, and routines that get disrupted can frighten pets before the worst weather arrives. Keep your dogs on a leash, even in a fenced yard. A frightened dog may climb, dig, or force its way through a weak gate.
Place your carriers where your pets can explore them before an emergency. You can train your pets by adding treats or meals inside so the carrier does not appear only when something stressful happens. If your pet has severe storm anxiety, discuss it with a veterinarian early. Hurricane day is not the best time to try an unfamiliar medication for the first time.
If you can, make one person responsible for each pet when you leave your household. This prevents confusion while everyone is loading bags and checking the house. Practice putting pets into their carriers and getting them into the vehicle. For households with several animals, label each carrier and keep the correct leash, medicine, and records with it.
Schedule Care Before Hurricane Season Peaks
East Hill Animal Hospital can help Pensacola pet owners review vaccinations, refill appropriate medications, check microchip information and address anxiety concerns before a storm. Call 850-437-9932 to schedule an appointment.
East Hill Animal Hospital is part of the Pensacola Pets family of companies, providing local families with veterinary care, diagnostics, rehabilitation, training, grooming, daycare and boarding. Preparing now gives you more choices later and helps ensure every member of the family has a safe way out when a Gulf storm approaches.