Pet Preparedness
Pet Disaster Supply Kit
Keep Your Pets Safe
Note: Make sure your pets have had all their shots within the past 12 months. Pet-friendly shelters/evacuation centers and boarding facilities will require proof of vaccinations.
Your Pets
Make a plan for your pets now. Pasco County Animal Services offers a low-cost vaccination clinic including microchipping. The clinic is offered weekly at the shelter.
Don't leave your pet and don't use your pet as an excuse not to evacuate. You are putting yourself, your family, and your pet at risk! If you are ordered to evacuate, take your pet and your pet supplies with you. Seek shelter with friends or relatives or at a hotel. Many shelters/evacuation centers will not turn away pets.
If you plan to take your pets with you to a shelter, you are responsible for your pet while staying in the shelter. You will need to bring your own crate and any supplies that apply from the list provided.
If you plan to go to a hotel or motel, go online to the Pets Welcome website.
After the storm has passed, be careful allowing your pet outdoors. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet could easily be confused and become lost. Downed power lines, other animals, and insects brought in with high water could present real dangers to your pet. Take care not to allow your pet to consume food or water which may have become contaminated. Nearly 80% of pets displaced by a disaster are never reunited with their owners.
Your Livestock
There are many resources to keep you and your livestock safe as a disaster approaches. It is important to tag your animals with identifying markers. If possible, keep a photo log of livestock. Check regularly that your fences are intact. Remove any trees and repair any structures that could fall on the fence or injure an animal.
If you plan to evacuate your animals, coordinate transportation in advance. Remember that gas may not be as readily available, and traffic will increase as the disaster approaches. Plan accordingly when you begin evacuating livestock.
If you plan to stay, your livestock should have access to clean water and food for at least 5 days. Provide adequate cooling options and a warm bed to use. For more information about planning for your livestock, go to the Pasco County Extension Office or the USDA website.
Petco Love Lost
Animal Services takes in lost and surrendered pets every day. If a lost animal is brought to the shelter, it will be held for 72 hours. After 72 hours, the animal becomes property of the shelter and will be fostered out or re-homed. With so many shelters in the area, it can be hard to locate your pet. Animal Services has had great success using a new app called Petco Love Lost. This app uses facial recognition to reunite pets with their owners. You can download it for free and post a lost or found animal in your area. Register your pet today. For more information, go to the Petco Love Lost website.
- PROPER ID COLLAR AND RABIES TAG/LICENSE
- VACCINATION PAPERWORK (SEE NOTE)
- CARRIER OR CAGE (LARGE ENOUGH FOR YOUR PET TO MOVE AROUND)
- LEASH
- AMPLE FOOD SUPPLY (AT LEAST 2 WEEKS)
- WATER (MINIMUM OF 7-DAY SUPPLY)
- WATER/FOOD BOWLS
- ANY NECESSARY MEDICATION(S)
- SPECIFIC CARE INSTRUCTION
- NEWSPAPERS, CAT LITTER, SCOOP
- PLASTIC TRASH BAGS FOR HANDLING WASTE
- PROPER ID ON ALL BELONGINGS (INCLUDING EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION IF YOU EVACUATE)
- PHOTO OF YOU AND YOUR PET
- A COMFORT ITEM SUCH AS A FAVORITE TOY OR BLANKET
- NON-ELECTRIC CAN OPENER
- MICROCHIPPING YOUR PET IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
Keep Your Pets Safe
Note: Make sure your pets have had all their shots within the past 12 months. Pet-friendly shelters/evacuation centers and boarding facilities will require proof of vaccinations.
Your Pets
Make a plan for your pets now. Pasco County Animal Services offers a low-cost vaccination clinic including microchipping. The clinic is offered weekly at the shelter.
Don't leave your pet and don't use your pet as an excuse not to evacuate. You are putting yourself, your family, and your pet at risk! If you are ordered to evacuate, take your pet and your pet supplies with you. Seek shelter with friends or relatives or at a hotel. Many shelters/evacuation centers will not turn away pets.
If you plan to take your pets with you to a shelter, you are responsible for your pet while staying in the shelter. You will need to bring your own crate and any supplies that apply from the list provided.
If you plan to go to a hotel or motel, go online to the Pets Welcome website.
After the storm has passed, be careful allowing your pet outdoors. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet could easily be confused and become lost. Downed power lines, other animals, and insects brought in with high water could present real dangers to your pet. Take care not to allow your pet to consume food or water which may have become contaminated. Nearly 80% of pets displaced by a disaster are never reunited with their owners.
Your Livestock
There are many resources to keep you and your livestock safe as a disaster approaches. It is important to tag your animals with identifying markers. If possible, keep a photo log of livestock. Check regularly that your fences are intact. Remove any trees and repair any structures that could fall on the fence or injure an animal.
If you plan to evacuate your animals, coordinate transportation in advance. Remember that gas may not be as readily available, and traffic will increase as the disaster approaches. Plan accordingly when you begin evacuating livestock.
If you plan to stay, your livestock should have access to clean water and food for at least 5 days. Provide adequate cooling options and a warm bed to use. For more information about planning for your livestock, go to the Pasco County Extension Office or the USDA website.
Petco Love Lost
Animal Services takes in lost and surrendered pets every day. If a lost animal is brought to the shelter, it will be held for 72 hours. After 72 hours, the animal becomes property of the shelter and will be fostered out or re-homed. With so many shelters in the area, it can be hard to locate your pet. Animal Services has had great success using a new app called Petco Love Lost. This app uses facial recognition to reunite pets with their owners. You can download it for free and post a lost or found animal in your area. Register your pet today. For more information, go to the Petco Love Lost website.
