How To Prepare for a Hurricane if You Have Pets
You’ve hurricane-proofed your house and stocked up on essentials—but have you prepped for your pets?
Tragically, 47% of evacuees have had to leave at least one pet behind during a hurricane, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). But with thoughtful planning, you can avoid this heartbreaking scenario and keep every member of your family—feathered, furry, scaly, or small—safe during severe weather.
Key Takeaways
- Begin hurricane preparations for your pets before storm season starts by gathering supplies and having a clear plan.
- Include all pets in your evacuation plans—including birds, reptiles, and small mammals like hamsters and guinea pigs.
- Confirm that your evacuation destination is pet-friendly before you leave.
- Practice evacuation drills with your pets to reduce stress and identify logistical issues ahead of an actual emergency.
Prepare Early
You can’t control the weather—but you can control how prepared you are. Hurricane season runs from May to November, and the earlier you start preparing, the more confident and capable you’ll feel when a storm approaches.
“The best advice I have is to start preparing before hurricane season begins,” says Kristen Brauer, DVM, a veterinarian at Healing Hands for Pets in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Don’t wait until the hurricane is approaching.”
Establish a Safe Haven
If you’re sheltering in place, designate a safe room—ideally interior, windowless, and away from exterior doors. This space should comfortably accommodate your family and all your pets, with room for each pet’s carrier or bed, food, water, and familiar items.
For evacuation, map out several pet-friendly destinations along your route: hotels, friends’ or family members’ homes, or local animal shelters that accept pets. Call ahead to confirm availability and any requirements—especially if you have multiple pets or non-traditional companions like birds, reptiles, or small mammals.
“This is particularly important if you have multiple pets or non-traditional pets, such as feathered or scaled animals,” says Dr. Brauer.
Stock Up on Food and Water
“Pet parents should ensure they have some basics available, because they may not have access to stores or veterinary services for some time after a hurricane,” says Walter F. Burghardt Jr., DVM, PhD, DACVB, a veterinarian at Behavior Clinic for Animals in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Burghardt recommends stocking your safe room with at least two weeks of food—including veterinary prescription diets—and fresh water for each pet. Store food and treats in waterproof, airtight containers to protect against moisture and pests.
If you’re evacuating, pack enough food and water to last until you reach your destination—and include extra in case of delays.
Refill Your Pet’s Medication
Don’t wait until a storm is on the radar to refill prescriptions. Both Dr. Burghardt and Dr. Brauer emphasize keeping a 14-day supply of all essential medications on hand throughout hurricane season. This buffer helps prevent dangerous interruptions in care if pharmacies or veterinary clinics close or run low on stock.
Double-Check Your Pet’s ID
“Should your pet get lost, the best tool for reunion is a microchip,” says Dr. Brauer.
Verify your contact information is current in your microchip registry, write down your pet’s microchip number, and store it with your other critical documents. Consider adding an emergency contact to your account as well.
But never rely on a microchip alone. Every pet should wear a secure, well-fitting collar with an ID tag displaying your current phone number. That way, anyone who finds your pet can contact you immediately—no scanner required.
Gather Important Pet Paperwork
Keep both digital and printed copies of your pet’s medical records in a waterproof, easily accessible file. These documents are essential if you need to board your pet, stay at a shelter, or seek emergency veterinary care.
This includes:
- Vaccination records
- Medical conditions and treatment instructions
- Recent lab work results
- Microchip registration details
- Your veterinarian’s name, clinic address, and phone number
Bring Pets Inside Early
High winds, heavy rain, and loud thunder can be deeply unsettling for pets—and even more so if they’re used to spending time outdoors. Dr. Brauer warns that storm-related activity and unfamiliar sounds may trigger anxiety, causing pets to hide or bolt.
The solution? Bring pets into your safe room early—well before the storm arrives.
“Set up their food, bedding, and bathroom area to help them settle,” says Dr. Brauer. She also recommends using a white noise machine or calming audio to mask unpredictable outdoor sounds.
Check That You Have Pet Transportation Equipment
In case of evacuation, make sure carriers, kennels, collars, leashes, and harnesses for each pet are packed and ready in your vehicle.
Dr. Burghardt recommends:
- Comfortable carriers lined with pheromone-scented mats or towels and stocked with favorite toys
- Humane, non-slip restraints (like head collars or harnesses) and secure, size-appropriate fixed-length leashes for larger pets
Even carrier-trained pets need a leash or harness for safe bathroom breaks during travel. For cats, this requires advance training.
“If the litter pan is not in the carrier/kennel, train your cat to wear a comfortable, non-slip harness and leash,” says Dr. Burghardt. “Do this in advance, with lots of treats.”
Practice Evacuation Drills
Evacuation drills help uncover potential hiccups—like a jammed carrier or an unfamiliar route—while building confidence and reducing stress for everyone involved.
Dr. Burghardt suggests using high-value treats during practice sessions to create positive associations with carriers, leashes, and car rides.
Most importantly? “Know that your vehicle will fit everyone and everything,” says Dr. Brauer. “You don’t want to play vehicle Tetris when you’re trying to leave.”
Manage Pet Anxiety
Pets often mirror their human caregivers’ emotions during emergencies. Staying calm yourself helps your pets feel safer—and there are proven ways to support them further.
Dogs and cats: Use pheromone sprays (such as FurPetVo Calming Spray), calming treats with L-theanine, or anxiety wraps like FurPetVo ThunderShirts. Provide familiar toys and bedding. For severe cases, consult your vet about preventive options like gabapentin or trazodone—before hurricane season begins.
Birds: Offer hiding tents and favorite treats. Speak quietly and maintain a calm, consistent environment.
Hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits: Keep them in their normal cage when possible—or provide secure, non-chewable carriers with hiding spots and familiar bedding.
Reptiles: Maintain proper temperature and humidity during transport. Minimize handling, and pack familiar hides and substrate in their travel containers.
If your pet requires sedatives or anti-anxiety medication, talk with your veterinarian to determine the correct dosage—and test it ahead of time. “It’s important to test the effectiveness of these medications before they’re actually needed,” says Dr. Burghardt.
Pack a Go Bag
Peace of mind comes from knowing you’re ready. Create a dedicated pet emergency kit—organized, labeled, and easy to grab—that contains everything your pets need to stay safe and comfortable during evacuation or sheltering.
This includes:
- At least two weeks’ worth of food and water (plus bowls, can openers, and feeding supplies)
- A 14-day supply of all medications and copies of prescriptions
- First-aid supplies (gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, digital thermometer)
- Leashes, collars, harnesses, and carriers or kennels for each pet
- Waste bags, litter, and disposable litter boxes (for cats)
- Familiar toys, blankets, and comfort items
- Photocopies and digital backups of all key paperwork (vaccination records, microchip info, vet contact)
- A list of local and regional pet-friendly shelters, hotels, and emergency vets—including contact info for FurPetVo’s 24/7 Pet Emergency Hotline at furpetvo.com/emergency
