Preparing for a Hurricane | Pet Disaster Preparedness

As families prepare for Hurricane Florence along the East Coast, people are doing everything they can to get ready for the worst. It's never too early to prepare for natural disasters such as hurricanes and in fact it's actually a smart idea to have a plan in advance.

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If you have pets, it's critical to have a plan for them as well in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. While we hope that nobody ever becomes separated from their beloved pets during a hurricane, it's certainly possible. Preparation can help families reunite with their pets in situations where they may become separated.

Michelson Found Animals Foundation Executive Director, Aimee Gilbreath, is sharing tips to help make sure you and your pet are reunited should the unthinkable happen.

1. Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag with current information, and that he wears his collar/id tag all the time, even when indoors.
2. Make sure your pet is microchipped, since an ID tag could come off or become damaged during an emergency. A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under your pet’s skin, and contains an identification number that can be scanned by a shelter or veterinarian.
3. Double check that your pet’s microchip is registered and contains the correct name and your current phone number and address, otherwise there’s no easy way to reach you if they’re found! If your pet is chipped but not registered, you can register for free here.
4. Vaccinate to reduce their risk of sickness and disease in unknown conditions during an emergency.
5. Have a pet emergency kit with gauze, bandages, food, immunization records, microchip information and vet and emergency contact information.

The infographic below shares valuable pet disaster preparedness safety tips that you can share with friends and family. 

If you do happen to lose your pet during a hurricane or other natural disaster, do not endanger yourself to look for them. Check sites like Nextdoor, Craigslist and Petfinder along with social media. Then, visit local shelters as soon as you are able to. 

If you happen to find a pet that is lost, approach the animal with extreme care and check to see if they have an ID tag. Go online to try to find their owners. You can post a description and photo on Nextdoor, your social networks, Craigslist, and Petfinder. Then, take the animal to your local shelter to get them scanned for a microchip. If the pet is chipped and their registry information is up-to-date, they have the best opportunity to be reunited with their owner. 

To all of our friends in the path of hurricanes during this hurricane season, we hope that you and your pets stay safe. If you have more tips to share, please include them in the comments below.