A hurricane marches up the eastern coast toward your town. Do you know how to keep your pets safe? Although we can’t prevent many disasters, we can certainly learn how to deal with them.

Here are a few tips on how to hurricanes.  These tips were compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States to help protect pets during emergencies. You can learn more about how to handle disasters by visiting FEMA’s Web site at www.fema.gov.

Preparedness is the key in any emergency, especially if you have pets.

Hurricanes

Although they can be very destructive, hurricanes are very predictable. The National Hurricane Center in Miami tracks weather patterns and notes possible hurricanes long before they pose a threat. The important thing is to monitor a storm’s progress to see if it becomes a risk to coastal areas. (A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds reach 74 miles an hour; but a storm is still a storm and not to be taken lightly.) The hurricane center issues three levels of warning: hurricane advisory (which tells where the storm is located and direction of movement); hurricane watch and hurricane warning.

A watch is issued when hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours. At that time you should:

Begin evacuating large animals (such as horses) and large populations of dogs and cats (such as those in shelters) from vulnerable areas.

Keep your pets indoors and accessible. Cats can sense a hurricane and may be hiding. You may want to put them in their transport cages so you don’t lose valuable time finding them.

Know your community’s preplanned evacuation route.

Store a week’s worth of fresh water and food for yourself and your pets, and prep your house (i.e., put up hurricane shutters, etc.).

A warning is issued when a hurricane is 24 hours or less away from striking. You should complete all preparations in a hurry before high winds and heavy rains arrive. Remember that storm surge is especially dangerous. Only stay in your home if it is safe, and always bring your pets with you, even if you are not sure where to take them.
 

Pet Survial Kits should include:

·         Proper ID collar and rabies tag/license – Make sure your pets have had all their shots within the past 12 months. Pet shelters/hotels will require proof of vaccinations.

·         Carrier or cage

·         Leash

·         Ample food/water supply (at least two weeks)

·         Water/food bowls

·         Any necessary medication(s)

·         Specific care instructions

·         Newspapers, cat litter, scoop, plastic trash bags for handling waste

·         Proper ID on all belongings

·         Non electric can opener