Are you prepared for hurricane season?
June 1st, 2009 by admin
Today is the first day of the 2009 hurricane season. Do you have a plan in place to ensure your companion animal’s safety in the event of a hurricane?
Last month, Hillsborough County announced two new pet-friendly hurricane shelters (there are now four in the county). Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita explained the importance of shelter space where people can go with their pets, “People won’t leave without their animals,” she said and added, “If we help the animals, we help our constituents. It’s a public safety issue.”
Many counties in Florida have established hurricane shelters that will accept you and your companion animal(s). But these shelters are intended for use only as a last resort. It is much better to arrange to stay with family or friends, or to find an inland hotel that will allow pets.
For more information about preparations that should be taken now to protect your companion animals, click here to read ARFF’s Guidelines for Weather Emergencies. Another excellent resource is FloridaPets.net’s Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelter Guide.