With almost a full week of notice of the impending storm, Hurricane Irma, we all have the small luxury of time to prepare.
Pet owners have more responsibility to ensure that their littles are safe. Here are few quick tips to get you started:
- Food & Water – some agencies recommend one week supply others say two.
- Medications – again … an ample supply. Make sure you have flea & tick/heartworm meds on hand.
- Carriers – you’ll need one for each pet. They should be large enough for them to stand up and turn around in. Keep them by the door – if you need to quickly stow your dog, it will be right there. Take a minute and write your information on the carrier with a marker, add a luggage tag or label it so that you if you are separated, you can find your pet easily.
- Collars, harnesses and leashes. Little dog owners often don’t keep a collar on their dog – put the collar or harness in the carrier so you know exactly where it is when you need it.
- ID tags – every pet should have a tag with your phone number (s) on it.
- Documents – Medical records and rabies certificates – are imperative. If you should have to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter, you’ll need to present your rabies certificate to enter. Make a copy and place in a waterproof container – but also!! take a picture of the documents on your phone. Then email those pictures (or scan the documents) and email them to yourself, just for insurance.
- You are going to need poop bags, towels and supplies for clean up. And some toys! In stressful times, whatever you can do to help your pet feel “normal” is a good thing.
- Pet First Aid Kit – you can buy these or put them together yourself. Check out this list of things included in the kit from EntirelyPets.com
Here is the up-to-date list of pet friendly shelters in Sarasota County:
Pine View School, 501 Old Venice Road in Osprey
Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Boulevard, North Port
Taylor Ranch Elementary School, 2500 Taylor Ranch Road
Also in Sarasota,
Brookside Middle School, 3636 S. Shade Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Riverview High School, One Ram Way, Sarasota 34241
For Manatee County Shelters, click here
Please, wait for an official announcement that these shelters are operational before arriving.
As our community prepares for the storm, Animal Rescue Coalition will be offering some special services to ensure the safety of pets. Call 941-960-1506 for details.
Remember too, that while you are locking everything down for your family, our local shelters are getting ready too. We asked Satchel’s Last Resort for some specifics about what they need right now. Their request was for large and small crates, canned dog and cat food, bleach, batteries and first aid supplies for pets and people. So … if you end up with a surplus, or would like to donate to help the pets in a local shelter, please drop off at Satchel’s 8101 Coash Road, Sarasota, FL.