Hurricane Safety Guidelines for Pet Owners

Hurricane pet safety awareness officially begins in June, and can last into early November. During this time, you should have a plan of action in place for yourself and your pet in case a storm heads to North Charleston and evacuation becomes likely. Our animal hospital cares about your safety and will be glad to help you prepare for any situation. You should also speak with your veterinarian to come up with a more personalized plan for your pet.

Preparing for a Hurricane

• Gather information about forecasts, potential risks at your specific location, and emergency contacts. Keep a list of phone numbers for local utilities, radio stations, hospitals, law enforcement and emergency management offices.
• Put together a disaster supplies kit for both yourself and your pet. Keep your pet’s food and medications in sealed, waterproof containers.
• Have a first aid kit for your pet that includes non-stick bandages, rolls of gauze, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs and antibiotic ointment.
• Make sure you download our app and have access to your ePetHealth portal, so you will have your pet’s updated health and vaccine records on hand. If you have hard copies, keep them sealed in a plastic bag and bring them with you in case you need to take your pet to a boarding facility.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations and taking parasite preventives.
• Your pet should have up-to-date ID tags on their collar, and should also be microchipped in case they get lost.
• Keep a current photo of your pet with you.
• Have at least a week’s worth of food (that can be kept in sealed containers) for your pet.
• If you have a cat, bring along cat litter and disposable litter trays.
• Additional supplies to bring: Liquid dish soap, disinfectant, at least 7 days’ worth of bottled water, food and water bowls, a blanket, and a flashlight.
• If your pet travels in a carrier, make sure the carrier is sturdy and large enough for your pet to move around comfortably. Have an extra leash on hand in case the other goes missing or breaks. Before hitting the road, make sure your pet’s carrier is secured with a seatbelt.
• In case of evacuation, have a destination planned out ahead of time. Contact hotels in the area to see if they’ll be able to accommodate your pet. Get in touch with friends and relatives who might be able to help.
• Bring along a couple of blankets and toys to keep your pet comfortable.

For further information about pet safety during hurricane season, please see the resources below:

• Ready, Department of Homeland Security
• Pet MD
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
  • Making Plans for Your Family Pets
  • Animals & Insects

Please call us at (843) 553-0441 if you have questions about hurricane pet safety or need help planning for the worst. We’re always happy to assist you.