Pet Preparedness During a Hurricane

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Whatever preparation plans you make for yourself, remember to include your pets. If you're riding out the storm in the home of a family member, friend or neighbor, take your pets with you.

If You Stay Home

If you stay at home, remember to stay together. Keep your pet in a crate or carrier and find a safe area where you will all be together. Keep their collar and tag on in case you get separated. It's always best to microchip your pets since they tend to lose their collars.

Pet owners residing in an evacuation zone, unsafe structure or trailer are encouraged to come to a pet-friendly evacuation center.

Before disaster strikes, pet owners are encouraged to review the Animal Supplies Checklist to learn how to prepare pets before, during and after a disaster.

Pet-Friendly Evacuation Centers

Animal Services operates pet-friendly shelters during emergencies. Pre-registration is not required to use the evacuation center. Evacuation centers will be announced as needed.

Upon arrival at the center, pets will be examined by a licensed veterinarian to determine if the pet presents a safety risk. Any pet deemed a risk will not be allowed to enter the evacuation center.

Related FAQs

- Provide proof of residency within an evacuation zone. Examples include: a valid photo identification and recent utility bill showing current address for adult registrant.
- Present medical and current vaccination records for each pet. Annual rabies vaccinations and a visible Miami-Dade County dog license are required. Strict enforcement concerning these violations is essential to ensure a rabies-free community. Cats are also required to have annual rabies vaccinations.
- Pet owners must bring supplies for themselves and their pet.
- Limit four pets per household.
- At least one family member must remain in the evacuation center with the pet.
Pet owners must be prepared to care and maintain control over their pets at all time.

In order to avoid injury to response personnel or the public, owners are required to:
- Maintain their pets in a crate, on a leash or otherwise controlled
- Muzzle aggressive or anxious pets
Pet owners should also be aware of the following circumstances:
- Should there be a need to monitor pets for contamination, owners must maintain control of the pet and follow the directions of the responders providing the emergency services.
- Should there be a need to wash contaminants from pets, owners shall be expected to conduct the wash down under the direction of emergency responders.
- Pets that become a threat to responders or the public will be placed under the control of an animal control officer.
Pet-friendly evacuation centers accept up to four pets per person including the following animals:
- birds
- ferrets
- gerbils
- guinea pigs
- hamsters
- mice
- rats
- rabbits (small-sized, under 10 pounds, such as California or Dutch breeds)

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