Before the Event

Don't forget about your animals when preparing for an emergency event. Your preparedness activities should include ensuring that your dog or cat has proper identification, assembling a pet survival kit and creating a shelter plan. This web page also offers tips on preparing for other pets, including fish, birds, hamsters and other small mammals, and reptiles. 

Pet Identification

Ensure that your dog or cat has a current rabies vaccination and Broward County pet registration tag. The heart-shaped tag on a secure collar is your pet's ticket home. In the event your animal becomes lost, the tag confirms your ownership so you can be contacted and reunited with your pet. Both Florida Statute 828.30 and Broward County ordinances 4-10 and 4-11 require your dog or cat be vaccinated against rabies and registered. A second form of identification is also recommended, such as a microchip, tattoo or separate identification tag with the name of a friend or relative engraved on it. 

Pet Survival Kit

Recommended items for a pet survival kit include:

• A crate or carrier large enough for the animal to stand and turn around (use a treat or toy to help pets adjust to the carrier beforehand)
• Leashes and collars
• Two week supply of food (moist or canned) with manual can opener
• Two week supply of bottled water
• Water and food dishes
• Cat litter, litter pan and puppy training pads
• Toys, blankets and treats
• Emergency phone numbers for veterinarian, animal shelters and friends/relatives
• Veterinary clinic address and phone number
• Veterinary records with rabies certificate and current Broward County license tag number
• Medications with instructions
• Cleaning supplies (newspaper, plastic bags with ties, paper towels, disinfectant)
• A photo of you and your pet together (to help prove the pet is yours), and one with the pet by itself, showing any distinguishing marks that will help with identification

Store all items in waterproof containers that are easy to transport and won't easily tear or break. Do not use plastic or paper bags or pillow cases. 

Shelter Plan

If you plan to evacuate, leave as early as possible. Options include staying with relatives or friends who do not have to evacuate, or evacuating to a pet-friendly hotel or motel.

Pet-friendly hotels and motels fill quickly before a storm. It is important to call the hotel or motel for reservations before you evacuate, and make sure they allow pets. Many change their pet policies during an emergency.

Kennels have limited space and most require proof of current vaccinations. Select a kennel not in the emergency evacuation zone. Ask your veterinarian if they offer boarding services because as a client, your pet will be given preference over a non-client.

Broward County's a pet-friendly shelter has limited space and is an option of last resort. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis, only to pet owners living in evacuation areas, or in mobiles homes throughout Broward County. The human side of the shelter is operated by American Red Cross. The pet side of the shelter is operated by the Humane Society of Broward County. Pets cannot be sheltered unless their owner(s) are also utilizing the shelter. This is pet-friendly shelter only, and not a general population shelter.

Residents living in an evacuation zone, or in a mobile home, can preregister for the pet-friendly shelter in person at the Humane Society of Broward County, 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, or call 954-989-3977. To preregister, you must present: 

• valid proof of residency in an evacuation area, such as an electric, water or cable bill (driver's license is not sufficient proof)
• valid proof of current rabies vaccination and Broward County pet license
• name, address and phone number of your veterinarian
• a current photo of the pets you are planning to bring (photo non-returnable)

Caring for Other Pets

Tropical or Fresh Water Fish

Electrical power can go off in an emergency and stop the aeration pump in fish tanks. If the tank has an adapter, aeration pumps can be operated by battery, so be sure to include in your emergency preparedness kit plenty of batteries. If you have a generator, you can run the tank's cycle pump. If you have a big tank, a marine bait pump can be used with a 12-volt car battery to aerate the water.

Birds

If you are evacuating, transport birds in secure travel cages or carriers without water.
Keep the cage in a quiet area. Do not let the bird out of the cage. Take a photo for identification and either leg band or microchip the bird. Bring medicine, medical records, water, food, toys, newspaper or cage liner, and cleaning supplies.

Small Mammals

Transport hamsters, gerbils, ferrets and other small mammals in carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while at the boarding location. Take food, water, bowls, bottles, bedding and other care items.

Reptiles

A pillowcase makes an excellent transport carrier for reptiles. Immediately transfer the reptile to a more secure cage when you reach the boarding location. Bring adequate food, a water bowl and heating pad.

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Updated May 2012