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Jul 19, 2023

Idalia is on its way to Florida. How to hurricane prep with pets

Hurricane season has been off to a hectic start since it started earlier this summer, with Idalia now headed toward the West Coast of Florida. After last year's destructive season with Hurricane Ian,

Hurricane season has been off to a hectic start since it started earlier this summer, with Idalia now headed toward the West Coast of Florida.

After last year's destructive season with Hurricane Ian, hurricane planning ahead of time is more crucial than ever, especially when you add your pets to the mix.

In an natural disaster emergency, your beloved furry friends will be even more dependent on you for their safety and well-being. Consider these tips when hurricane planning with your pets this season.

Idalia's impact:Idalia expected to intensify, become hurricane and bring 2 to 4 feet of surge in Lee, Collier

Ahead of the season, make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Experts remind residents that many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.

It is also recommended to microchip pets and/or put a tag on their collar with your name, current address and cellphone number.

Before every hurricane season, it's recommend that residents sit down to game plan what they should do if a storm heads their way, considering what will it look like if you decide to hunker down or if you decide to evacuate.

As you map out your storm strategies, make sure to factor in your furry friends. If you have to evacuate your home during a disaster, the best way to protect your pets is to bring them.

As you race against the clock to grab supplies for yourself and family, make sure to pick up items to build an extra hurricane supply kit for your pets. Per the Red Cross, your kit should include:

The second of two 14-day sales tax holidays to help residents purchase hurricane supplies began on Saturday, Aug. 26 and will run until Sept. 8. The tax holidays also include a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets.

Exempted items include:

If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for them either.

If you're able to reach out ahead of time, find out which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate and ask if no pet policies could be waived in an emergency.

It also helps to know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in case of an emergency.

If you choose not to evacuate or it's not an option, make sure your pet is safe and as comfortable as possible throughout the hurricane.

The American Humane Society says to choose a safe room for riding out the storm, such as an interior room without windows and take your entire family there, including your pets. They also said to stay with pets as much as possible.

Other tips when bunkering down with pets include:

Help pets before Idalia's landfall:Is your dog scared of thunder? How to help your dog cope when it storms every day in Florida

If you can get your pets desensitized to storms before they happen, the better they'll be able to handle them. From The Daytona Beach News-Journal, they gave tips such as:

Before allowing animals outside, make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assessing damage. Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.

The AHS also recommends to give pets time to become re-oriented, as familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to become confused or lost.

"Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, too, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet’s behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective," AHS officials wrote. "Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too."