The Slide Guide to Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners

When hurricane season approaches, most homeowners think about shutters, generators, flashlights, and evacuation routes. But for many families, preparedness also means protecting pets who depend on them for safety and comfort during an emergency.

Hurricane preparedness for pet owners is about more than buying extra pet food. It means planning ahead before a storm is on the radar, knowing where your pets can go during an evacuation, and helping them stay calm when routines suddenly change.

For homeowners in coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes, having a pet emergency plan can help reduce stress and confusion during an already difficult situation.

Key Takeaways

• Build a dedicated emergency kit for each pet before hurricane season starts.
• Identify pet-friendly evacuation options ahead of time.
• Keep vaccination records and medications accessible.
• Consider microchipping your pet improve the chances of reuniting with them if they become lost during a disaster.
• FEMA’s National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is in May and June is National #PetPreparedness Month - both are good reminder to update your emergency plans annually ahead of the storm season.

Hurricane preparedness for pet owners involves planning for evacuation, assembling emergency supplies, preparing safe shelter arrangements, and making sure pets can be identified if they become separated from their families during a disaster.

For additional storm preparation guidance, explore the Slide Storm Center for emergency readiness resources and tips to prepare your home for hurricane season.

Note: Visit the American Veterinarian Medical Association for disaster and evacuation prep information for livestock and other large animals.

Build a Pet Emergency Kit Before Storm Season

One of the most stressful parts of an approaching hurricane is trying to gather supplies at the last minute. Creating a pet emergency kit before hurricane season starts can help you avoid empty shelves, long lines, and unnecessary panic.

Your household emergency kit should include enough essentials for every family member, including pets, for at least several days.

A pet emergency kit should typically include:

• At least three days of food and water for each pet
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Leashes, harnesses, and collars
• Carriers labeled with your contact information
• Vaccination and veterinary records stored in a waterproof container
• Waste bags, litter, paper towels, and cleaning supplies
• Comfort items like toys, blankets, or treats
• Recent photos of your pets
• Feeding bowls and bottled water

It’s also smart to keep digital copies of veterinary paperwork and emergency contacts stored on your phone or in cloud storage.

Plan Ahead for Pet Evacuations

Many homeowners assume they’ll be able to bring pets anywhere during an evacuation, but that is not always the case. Most public emergency shelters only allow service animals.

If local officials issue an evacuation order, pets should leave with you. Staying behind or leaving animals unattended can quickly become dangerous as conditions worsen.

Planning evacuation options before a storm develops gives you more flexibility and fewer last-minute decisions.

Places to Include in Your Pet Evacuation Plan

Consider identifying:

• Pet-friendly hotels outside evacuation zones
• Friends or relatives who can temporarily house pets
• Boarding facilities along your evacuation route
• Local veterinary offices that may offer emergency boarding guidance

Your veterinarian can often recommend reputable boarding locations and emergency resources in your area.

Keep Veterinary Records and Medications Updated

During emergencies, boarding facilities and temporary shelters may require proof of vaccinations before accepting pets.

Before hurricane season begins:

• Confirm vaccinations are current
• Refill medications early
• Store printed and digital veterinary records in an accessible location
• Make sure ID tags are readable and current

If your pet requires daily medication, keeping extra supplies on hand may help prevent interruptions after a storm, especially if pharmacies or veterinary offices temporarily close.

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day and National #PetPreparedness Month

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, observed annually on May 8, encourages families to include pets in emergency planning efforts before hurricane season begins. June is also recognized as National #PetPreparedness Month, making late spring and early summer an ideal time for homeowners to review evacuation plans, refresh emergency kits, and prepare pets for severe weather season.

For homeowners in storm-prone states, these annual reminders arrive just as hurricane activity typically begins to increase.

Simple preparedness updates can make a meaningful difference during an evacuation or extended power outage.

Ways to Prepare During National #PetPreparedness Month

• Replace expired pet food, medications, and bottled water
• Update microchip registration and ID tag information
• Practice loading pets into carriers or vehicles
• Review evacuation routes and pet-friendly hotel options
• Restock emergency kits with seasonal supplies
• Save veterinary offices, shelters, and emergency contacts in your phone

Preparedness tends to work best when it becomes part of your regular household routine instead of something rushed during an approaching storm.

Helping Pets Stay Calm During a Hurricane

Pets often react to changes in pressure, noise, routines, and human behavior long before severe weather arrives. Even calm animals can become anxious during hurricanes and tropical storms.

If you plan to shelter at home, creating a secure indoor environment can help reduce stress for both pets and people.

Tips for Keeping Pets Calm During Storms

• Keep pets indoors as weather conditions worsen
• Create a quiet interior room away from windows
• Use familiar bedding and toys
• Keep carriers or crates accessible
• Close gates and secure doors to prevent escapes
• Play soft music or white noise to reduce storm sounds

Some pet owners also find that calming wraps or pheromone products may help anxious animals during thunderstorms or hurricanes.

After the storm passes, use caution outdoors. Floodwater, debris, damaged fencing, wildlife, and downed power lines can create hidden hazards for pets.

Why Microchipping Matters During Disasters

Collars and identification tags are important, but they can become damaged or separated during emergencies. Microchipping provides a more permanent form of identification if pets become lost during evacuations or storm recovery.

A veterinarian can insert a microchip quickly during a routine appointment. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics can then scan the chip to identify the owner through a national registry database.

Benefits of Microchipping Pets

Insurance Insight

Storm preparation often focuses on protecting homes and property, but emergency planning should include every member of the household, including pets.

While homeowners insurance may help cover certain types of storm-related property damage, expenses related to pet boarding, evacuation, food replacement, or veterinary treatment are typically handled separately from standard homeowners coverage.

Reviewing your policy before hurricane season can help you better understand what protections may apply after a storm.

Conclusion

Hurricane preparedness for pet owners starts long before a storm appears in the forecast. Taking time to prepare emergency kits, evacuation plans, veterinary records, and identification now can help protect pets when conditions become unpredictable later.

For many homeowners, pets are family members. Including them in your hurricane preparedness plans can help make stressful situations feel more manageable and may improve safety for everyone involved.

Additional pet preparedness resources:

• Ready.gov — Prepare Your Pets for Disasters
• American Red Cross — Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
• ASPCA — Disaster Preparedness