Getting Your Pet Ready for a Hurricane
What to do before the storm arrives
Start preparing your pet's hurricane kit at least two weeks before storm season peaks in your area. You will need documents, supplies, and a plan for where your pet will go if you have to leave quickly. Most of the work is gathering things you probably already have at home — food, medications, a carrier — and putting them in one place so you are not searching during an evacuation order.
The single most important step is making sure your pet has a microchip and a collar with current ID tags. If your pet gets separated from you during evacuation or in the chaos after the storm, a microchip is how shelters and vets will find you. Update the microchip registry with your current phone number and address before hurricane season starts, not after the storm hits.
Photograph your pet from multiple angles and keep the photos on your phone. If your pet goes missing, you will need clear images to post and share with local shelters and rescue groups. Include any distinctive markings, scars, or unusual features that would help someone identify your specific animal.
Key Takeaways
- Microchip your pet and update the registry information before storm season, because shelters use microchips to reunite lost pets with owners after evacuation.
- Gather a two-week supply of food, water, medications, and medical records in a waterproof container that you can grab in under five minutes.
- Know in advance whether your evacuation shelter accepts pets, because most do not — you will need a backup plan like a pet-friendly hotel, boarding facility, or out-of-state contact.
- Keep a recent photo of your pet on your phone and have a carrier or crate ready so you can transport your animal quickly if ordered to leave.
- If you cannot take your pet with you, do not leave it behind — contact local animal rescues, vets, or the county animal control for temporary foster or shelter options.
Building a pet hurricane kit
Pack a waterproof container with at least two weeks of food and fresh water for each pet. Use airtight containers or sealed bags to keep dry food fresh if the power goes out, and include bottled water — tap water may not be safe after a hurricane. Store the container in an easy-to-reach place, not in a cabinet you would forget to check during an evacuation.
Include all medications your pet takes, along with written instructions for dosing. If your pet needs insulin, thyroid medication, or any other prescription, bring the original bottles with the pharmacy label so a vet can verify the dose if you end up at an unfamiliar clinic. Pack a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, and any supplies specific to your pet's health — for example, a glucose meter for a diabetic cat.
Bring copies of your pet's medical records, vaccination history, and microchip number. Store these in a waterproof folder or plastic bag. If your pet is injured during the storm or gets sick while you are sheltering away from home, a vet will need proof of vaccinations and your pet's medical history to treat them.
Pack comfort items like a favorite toy, blanket, or bed. These reduce stress for your pet during the chaos of evacuation and sheltering. Include a collar, leash, and carrier or crate — you will need these to transport your pet safely and to keep them contained if you end up in a crowded shelter or unfamiliar space.
Finding shelter for your pet during evacuation
Call your local evacuation shelter now and ask whether they accept pets. Most public shelters do not allow animals except service dogs, so you cannot assume your pet can come with you. If the shelter does not accept pets, you need a backup plan before the storm arrives.
Pet-friendly hotels and motels often waive their usual pet fees during declared emergencies, though you should call ahead to confirm they are still open and have rooms available. Boarding facilities and kennels may also take emergency boarders during hurricanes, but they fill up quickly — contact them before storm season to ask about their hurricane policy and whether they can board your pet on short notice.
Identify an out-of-state contact — a friend or family member who lives outside the hurricane zone — who can temporarily foster your pet if you cannot bring the animal with you. Discuss this plan with them now, not during an evacuation order. Give them copies of your pet's medical records and a photo so they know what to expect.
Contact your local animal shelter, rescue organization, or county animal control and ask whether they offer emergency foster or temporary boarding. Some areas have disaster response networks that place pets in foster homes when owners are evacuated. Knowing this option exists in advance means you can act quickly if you need it.
What to do if you cannot evacuate with your pet
Do not leave your pet behind in your home, even if you think the storm will not be severe. Hurricanes are unpredictable, and a pet left alone faces injury, starvation, and drowning. If you cannot take your pet with you, contact a rescue organization, boarding facility, or foster network immediately — do not wait until the evacuation order is issued.
If you are in a situation where you must leave your pet temporarily, leave the animal indoors with access to multiple rooms, not locked in a single space. Leave out extra food and water in case you cannot return quickly. Write your name and phone number on a piece of paper and tape it to your pet's carrier or crate so rescuers know the animal belongs to someone and has an owner looking for it.
After the storm passes, check with local shelters, rescue groups, and vets immediately. Post photos of your pet on social media and community pages. Call the microchip registry to report your pet missing — they can help notify shelters and vets in your area that your animal is lost.
Preparing exotic pets and livestock
Exotic pets like birds, reptiles, rabbits, and small rodents need special planning because most shelters and boarding facilities do not know how to care for them. Start by calling exotic vets in your area and asking whether they take emergency boarders during hurricanes. If they do, get their contact information and hours now.
Gather detailed care instructions for your exotic pet — temperature requirements, humidity, feeding schedule, handling notes — and keep them with your pet's medical records. If you end up boarding your pet with someone unfamiliar, they will need these instructions to keep your animal alive and healthy.
For livestock and large animals, contact your county extension office or agricultural department before hurricane season to learn about evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and transport options. Some areas have livestock evacuation plans; others do not. Knowing what is available in your county means you can plan ahead instead of scrambling during an emergency.
Keeping your pet calm during the storm
Create a safe room in your home where your pet can shelter during the hurricane — ideally an interior room without windows, like a bathroom or closet. Set up the room with your pet's carrier or crate, food, water, and comfort items before the storm arrives. Let your pet spend time in this room in the days before the hurricane so the space feels familiar.
Keep your pet indoors during the storm, even if your animal normally goes outside. Wind, flying debris, and flooding create dangers that outdoor pets cannot navigate. If your pet is anxious, your vet may recommend calming medication or supplements — ask about this option before hurricane season so you have the medication on hand.
Stay calm yourself. Pets pick up on human anxiety, so your own composure helps keep your animal steady. Speak in a normal tone, maintain routines as much as possible, and avoid making a big fuss over your pet's fearfulness, which can reinforce the behavior.
After the hurricane passes
Before letting your pet outside, check your yard and home for hazards — downed power lines, broken glass, standing water, and debris. Keep your pet on a leash even in your own yard, because the familiar landscape may be unrecognizable and your pet could get lost or injured.
Watch for signs of injury or illness in the days after the storm. Stress, contaminated water, and exposure can cause problems that show up gradually. If your pet seems lethargic, stops eating, vomits, or has diarrhea, contact a vet as soon as clinics reopen.
If your pet was displaced or fostered during the evacuation, reintroduce your animal to your home slowly. Keep your pet in one room for a few hours so they can readjust to familiar smells and spaces before exploring the whole house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my pet to a public evacuation shelter?
Most public shelters do not allow pets except service animals. Call your local shelter now to confirm their policy. If they do not accept pets, you need a backup plan — a pet-friendly hotel, boarding facility, or foster contact — before the storm arrives.
What if I cannot afford a boarding facility during the hurricane?
Contact your local animal shelter, rescue organization, or county animal control and ask about emergency foster programs or low-cost temporary boarding. Some areas have disaster response networks that place pets in foster homes at no cost during evacuations. Call before hurricane season to learn what is available in your area.
Should I sedate my pet during the hurricane?
Talk to your vet before hurricane season about whether calming medication or supplements are appropriate for your pet. Your vet can prescribe something in advance so you have it on hand if your pet becomes extremely anxious during the storm. Do not give your pet medication without veterinary guidance.
What do I do if I find a pet after the hurricane?
Check the animal for a microchip by taking it to any vet clinic or animal shelter. Call the microchip registry with the chip number to contact the owner. If there is no microchip, post photos on social media and community pages, and contact local shelters and rescue groups to report the found pet.
How long should I keep my pet indoors after the hurricane?
Keep your pet indoors for at least a few days while you assess the damage to your yard and neighborhood. Downed power lines, debris, and contaminated water create hazards. Once you have cleared your yard and confirmed it is safe, you can gradually let your pet outside on a leash.