- October 14, 2026
Are you prepared for a natural disaster? Some folks might think hurricane season is almost over, but in truth, the busiest weeks of hurricane season are usually the end of September and early October. For those of us who reside in Florida year-round, we know to always be prepared for Hurricane season.
We get our generators serviced and keep water stocked. We keep our trees trimmed of large branches and lock down anything in our yards that can blow away. And of course, we always prep for our pets.
Or do we? We usually keep a list of the things that we need to have on hand to be prepared for us as humans. But do you have a list for your pet? Do you have enough carriers or crates to contain all your pets in case you have to utilize an emergency shelter?
These are things that we don’t think of on a day-to-day basis but are important when you need them at a moment’s notice.
I am a pet parent to many different species of animals. I have everything from dogs and cats to birds and reptiles. I work in the animal welfare field and help set up the pet friendly emergency shelter for Flagler County, so I understand the importance of having everything on hand when it is needed. This being said, I have a shelf in my garage dedicated to animal disaster supplies in case I have to evacuate with all my pets.
I have cages and carriers for every pet in my home. This includes bags for my snakes and containers for my geckos. I have carriers for the birds and cats. I have harnesses, leashes and crates for the dogs. (Harnesses are important to have because the dogs will be scared and could easily slip a collar. Harnesses are harder to slip out of and are handy if you have to grab your dog and go.)
Transportation containers are not the only thing that you should have on hand. I keep containers with extra supplies such as food/water bowls, bedding, litter and a litterbox that I can easily grab. I have a small plastic box that contains information on all of my pets with care sheets for each of them. These care sheets have their specific dietary requirements and their likes/dislikes. It includes their temperaments and behaviors. It also includes their medical information (including vaccine records and medication lists).
This is important because if you have to go into an emergency disaster shelter and someone is having to help take care of your pets, this will make it easier for them to make your pet as comfortable as possible.
Flagler County will be changing its pet friendly disaster shelter location soon. As a pet parent, you should make sure that you are aware of where it is just in case you need to use it. Even if you have plans to go somewhere else or shelter in place, you should be prepared as disasters can be unpredictable. Better to be prepared than wait until it’s too late.
Check for the new location and make sure you have a list of what they will require you to bring. You can usually also obtain the check-in paperwork ahead of time and have that filled out and ready.
Flagler Humane Society will have information available on its website, www.flaglerhumanesociety.org, on the pet friendly shelter as they staff the location and take care of the pets. You can obtain the paperwork there as well. Always be prepared and make sure that you don’t forget your furry (or feather and scaled) family members!
Katie Share is the lead animal services officer for Flagler Animal Services and has been with the Flagler Humane Society for nearly 25 years.
