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Plan of
Action : Develop a Plan :
Evacuation : Stay at Home
After a Storm : Key
Considerations : Links to Other Sources
“ A major
failing of all Floridians has been the apparent inability to learn
and retain the important lessons previous hurricanes should have
taught us. Andrew’s most obvious lesson was that we were not
prepared for this hurricane, neither as individuals nor as a
community. This mistake must not reoccur.” Dade County Grand Jury, final
report - 12/92
The only way
to reduce the devastation of a hurricane is to be prepared. The more
you prepare, the better your chances of reducing suffering and risk
for yourself, your family, your animals and your community. While
38% of U.S. households have children, 43% have pets. Florida is the
third most populous state in the U.S., with over 80% of its
population within 10 miles of the coast. There is no geographical
point in Florida that is far from saltwater. If you live in Florida,
you must plan for hurricanes - and that planning should include
your pets . Any disaster that threatens humans, threatens
animals as well.
When any
Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico storm is named, all
Floridians should take it seriously, watch it closely, and begin
implementation of their pre-written disaster plans.
WHY PET
OWNERS MUST PLAN
Public
shelters will not accept pets. If you wait until the last
minute to evacuate, you may have no choice but to go to a public
shelter. If such a situation should force you to leave pets behind,
please prepare your children and other family members for the fact
that their pets may not survive or may be lost before you are able
or permitted to return to your home. There is no way to know how
long it will be before you are permitted back after the storm. It is
much better to plan now so that when a hurricane occurs, you can
evacuate your pets also.
Frightened
animals quickly slip out open doors, broken windows or other damaged
areas of your home opened by the storm. Released pets are likely to
die from exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food and
water or on the road where they can also endanger others. Even
normally friendly animals of different species should not be allowed
together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct
behavior changes.
REMEMBER: If
you must evacuate... then conditions are not only unsafe for you,
but unsafe for other living creatures as well.
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DEVELOP
YOUR WRITTEN PLAN NOW
A written
DISASTER PLAN will help you and your pets survive. Identify your
evacuation zone and level to determine if and when you would have to
evacuate. Always be prepared for one category higher than the one
being forecast because a hurricane often increases in strength just
before making landfall. If the storm suddenly upgrades, you will not
have time to change your plans as winds will have already reached
speeds that will make travel unsafe.
ALL MOBILE
HOME RESIDENTS SHOULD EVACUATE - regardless of location. Evacuation
information, as well as additional preparedness guidelines may be
obtained from the:
Your goal
should be to evacuate to a safe location close to home.
Long-distance evacuation is not recommended as highways will be
crowded. Friends or relatives in a safe area are your best choice.
The comfort of knowing you are safe together, far outweighs any
inconvenience.
If they are
unable to house both you and your pets , arrange shelter for
your pets at a veterinarian or kennel close to your evacuation
location so that you will have as much contact with them as
possible. You and your pets will fare better if you are together.
If you plan to
go to a motel, determine in advance whether pets are welcome and
what, if any, special rules are applicable. The Animal Control and
the Emergency Management Office have lists of those motels that
accept pets in an emergency.
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IF YOU MUST
EVACUATE
LEAVE EARLY . An unnecessary trip is
far better than waiting too long and not being able to leave safely.
All animals
should have secure carriers (or collapsible cages for large dogs) as
well as collars, leashes and rabies tags. Carriers should be large
enough for the animals to stand comfortably and turn around.
Train your
pets to become familiar with their carriers ahead of time. Then the
carrier will be a secure and comforting refuge if the animal is
required to live in it for days - even weeks- after the storm.
Before
hurricane season begins on June 1 every year, make sure all your
pets have current immunizations and take these records with you if
you must evacuate.
Photograph
each of your pets prior to June 1 of each year and include these
pictures with your immunization and other medical records.
Your pet
survival kit should include ample food (at least a one week supply);
water/food bowls; medications; specific care instructions;
newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste; brushes,
combs, and other hygiene items; toys and others comfort items;
muzzles if necessary. A manual can opener is a necessity. Ask your
veterinarian for emergency care recommendations.
If you plan to
shelter your pets at a kennel or clinic, call before evacuating to
determine if space is available. Allow sufficient time to travel
from the kennel to your evacuation location after making certain
that your animals are secure.
Throughout the
evacuation and the storm, your pets will need reassurance from you.
Remain calm, keep as close to their normal routine as possible, and
speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice.
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IF YOU CAN
STAY AT HOME
It is just as
important to adequately plan for your pets even if you don’t have to
evacuate. Carriers, collars with proper ID and leashes should
be maintained for your pets at all times.
Your pets will
be most comfortable and secured in a safe area of your home until
the storm has passed. If they are not secured during the storm and
your house is damaged, your pets may escape and become disoriented,
since normal landmarks and scent trails could be obliterated. If
your pets become lost, proper ID will ensure their return to you.
Place your pet
food and medication in watertight containers in a cool, dry, dark
place. Store adequate water for your pets. Your normal water source
may become contaminated. (To purify water, add 2 drops of household
bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly, let stand for 30
minutes before using.)
If you bring
plants into the home before a storm, be careful not to allow pets
access to them since many ornamental plants are poisonous.
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AFTER THE
STORM
Walk your pets
on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. CAUTION:
Downed power lines and other debris pose real dangers to you and
your pets. Do not allow pets to consume food or water which may have
become contaminated. Be extremely careful in using candles or oil
lamps, particularly around pets. Never leave them unattended.
When you know
that you have done everything you can do to protect all
members of the family, disaster preparedness will give you
tremendous peace of mind.
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SUMMARY OF
KEY CONSIDERATIONS:
MAKE SURE
ALL PETS ARE WEARING PROPER IDENTIFICATION. If you get separated, it will be
their ticket home.
Get your pets
inside and under control as soon as a warning is announced. DO
NOT LEAVE A DOG TIED OUTSIDE IN HURRICANE WEATHER. It is
against County Ordinance to leave an animal tethered outside during
a hurricane, flood, fires, tornados, or blizzard (4-37 Humane Care).
If you
evacuate to somewhere other than a public shelter, TAKE YOUR PET.
(If it is dangerous for you, it is dangerous for your pet.)
If you take
your pets with you, remember to take for their care:
__ A pet
carrier properly sized to hold them.
__ Food/water
bowls.
__ A one-week
supply of dry food.
__ Water in
plastic bottles.
__ Pet
medication and pet health records.
__ Leashes
(muzzles, if necessary).
__ Newspapers
& paper towels for cleanup.
If you
MUST leave your pets behind:
— Ensure they
have access to a safe room without windows, but with adequate
ventilation (for instance, a bathroom or utility room.)
— Leave enough
food for at least three days.
— A sufficient
supply of water is critical.
— If your area
might be flooded, provide access to elevated spaces or counters.
— Do not leave cats and dogs in the same space - even if they
have been friends.
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LINKS TO OTHER
SOURCES:
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For weather updates, contact the National Weather Service by clicking the picture below.
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