by PTI Marketing | May 21, 2015
For many Florida homeowners, pets are considered members of their family. If you are a pet owner, you will need to take additional precautions, making special preparations to keep your pet safe and happy, in the event of a storm.
What supplies will your pets need? How do your pets’ needs fit into your family’s emergency plan?
Review the following steps before a major storm strikes to keep your furry loved ones safe and healthy.
Before The Storm
- Make sure your pets’ tags are current and print a copy of their most-recent shot records.
- Take a photo of your pets for identification purposes.
- Add all of your pets’ essentials to the emergency kit.
- Coordinate boarding options for your pets (pet hospital, kennel, pet-friendly hotel, local shelter, etc.)
- Designate someone to be responsible for transporting your pet in the event your family evacuates.
During The Storm
- Make sure your pet is inside to prevent them from running away.
- Feed your pet wet canned food before dry food to cut down on the water they need.
- Separate animals, especially cats and dogs. Storms make animals anxious and can cause problems.
- Stay calm and act normal. Changes in our behavior can spook animals.
- Keep dogs, cats, and other pets in crates or cages.
- If dropping off your pets at a separate shelter, take them there first. Verify the contact information of the shelter and discuss the procedure for returning to pick up your pets.