Hurricane Season 2018 – Still Going

We’ve been fortunate here in the Lakeland area in 2018 with the hurricane season so far, but others here in the Sunshine State have not been so fortunate. Hurricane Michael has reminded us that hurricane season isn’t over until it’s over.  Remember- hurricane season runs until the end of November, so we’re not in the clear just yet. Even though Michael is not making a landfall near Lakeland, lots of folks are having to evacuate in our northern counties due to storm surge.

It’s still important, even now- as I write this in October, to keep your hurricane supplies at the ready, and review your hurricane plan- in case anything has changed.  We’ve still got another month and a half to go.  Michael went from an area of disturbed weather to major hurricane in about a week, and the gulf is still plenty warm to deserve watching.

 

Where am I going to go with my family and pets?

Option 1: Friends/Family

Seek out friends or family who live outside of the storm’s path, if possible. Consideration should be given to their ability to house another family, including additional pets. Contact them months in advance prior to hurricane season to make sure that your family and pets will be welcome in the event of a hurricane.

Option 2: Hotel/Motel

Find a pet-friendly hotel outside of the projected path of the storm. Although this would be an added expense during an already stressful time, having a safe and secure location for your family and pets is well worth the peace of mind. There are hundreds of pet-friendly hotels throughout the state. Below are some websites which can help you select the right hotel for you and your family. Find a few properties in different locations throughout the state that would meet your specific needs. Put their numbers in your cell phone so you have them at the ready if you need to evacuate.

Here are some online resources with listings of pet-friendly accommodations throughout the country.

www.bringfido.com
www.petswelcome.com
www.petfriendlyhotels.com
www.petfriendlytravel.com
www.1clickpethotels.com
www.travelpets.com
www.dogfriendly.com

Option 3: Evacuation/Emergency Shelter (2017 guidelines. 2018 guidelines may change)

The options here are highly limited in our area, as Hillsborough County only offers four pet-friendly shelters and Pinellas only listing three. This should be considered a last option if you must evacuate, as living conditions will be less than ideal, and you are still within the storm’s path. Pet-friendly shelters in Hillsborough County are a first-come, first-served basis- so if your nearest shelter is full, you will be denied entry. Pinellas County requires pre-registration for their pet-friendly shelters. There is a link below to their website where you can access the pre-registration form.  Priority is given to individuals/families in mobile homes.

All shelters will require proof of vaccination.  I have reached out to Hillsborough County, and at this time, the only vaccine requirement is for Rabies.  Of course, we recommend keeping your pet up to date on all vaccines including Parvo/Distemper, Bordetella and the Canine Influenza vaccine, which is highly contagious.  Due to the recent Influenza outbreak, the county may rethink their requirements (and in my opinion, they should) and require the Influenza vaccine. This is at the County’s discretion and may change. If it changes- we will post updates here.

Pinellas county requires pre-registration for their pet-friendly shelters and preference is given to families in mobile homes and within evacuation zones A,B and C. If you live in Pinellas County and have no other place to evacuate to, pre-register for a location now, so you may be approved well in advance of the storm. Hillsborough county does not require pre-registration, but space is limited in each shelter. Have a plan B if you are unable to get into a shelter which accepts pets. For more information on shelters for both counties:

Resources for Hillsborough County, including pet-friendly shelters and requirements click here.

Pinellas County, indluding pet-friendly shelters click here.

Option 4: Stay in your residence

This option should NEVER be used if you live in an area which is under a mandatory evacuation. ALWAYS follow the direction of your local emergency management officials. Shelter in place only if you are not under a mandatory evacuation, and only if you are positive your residence can withstand the punishment from the storm. DO NOT, EVER leave your pet behind in your residence, nor should you use your pet as an excuse to ignore evacuation orders. Period.

If you are staying within your residence, prepare an area in the interior section of your house for your family to include your pets. As the storm approaches, place your pets in a pet crate with some comfort items such as a blanket, pet bed or favorite toys. Your pets will most likely become anxious and frightened during the height of the storm. If your home is damaged during the storm, a sturdy crate or pet carrier will be the safest place for them, and lessens the potential for escape.

I strongly suggest having each of your pets microchipped. Microchip technology reunites more lost pets with their owners than any other method. If your pet should escape or become lost during a hurricane or for any other reason, a microchip implanted between the shoulder blades of your pet is the most reliable way to have your pet returned to you.

Determining where you are going to go is just step one. Now, you need to gather your pet’s storm supplies to ensure their health and safety during and after the storm.

Here is your checklist of things you will need FOR EACH PET:

Proof of Vaccinations- if you plan on evacuating to a emergency shelter, proof of vaccines will be required. Be sure you check with your local shelters to learn about their specific rules and what else will be required. As I mentioned earlier, these requirements are at the discretion of each county and may change due to the recent outbreak of Canine Influenza.  We suggest having your pet current on ALL vaccines to keep them protected.

Registration tags

Two-weeks worth of food

Feeding and water dishes

Manual can opener if your pet eats canned food

Two weeks worth of fresh water

Cat litter, newspaper or other cat litter material

Plastic bags for handling pet waste

2 weeks worth of any medication(s)

Collar

Leash

Muzzle

Cage/Pet carrier- Pet carriers or crates should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around. It should also have secure doors to prevent escape.

Current photo of pet

Antibiotic ointment

Gauze

Adhesive tape such as vet wrap

Comfort items such as chew toys, blankets or pet beds.

I will keep my fingers crossed for another quiet hurricane season, but in the meantime, I will be gathering my supplies and calling my relatives on the east coast to let them know I’m heading towards them if a major storm has designs on the Lakeland region. Please heed my advice and prepare. Your pets will thank you for it.