Evacuation Information
If it is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pet. Take all your beloved family members with you when you leave!
In the event of an evacuation order:
We ask the general public to please allow us to help the pets of evacuated citizens first.
Owners wishing to surrender their animals are asked to refrain from so doing at this time. We will provide crates or other assistance as needed to help keep the animals in their homes. We are taking names and phone numbers from people willing to foster animals for this effort. We are also taking names and numbers from people that would be willing to volunteer their services.
Planning for an evacuation
As animal owners, you should be advised that some emergencies may force an evacuation, and many communities do not have evacuation shelters that allow pets. Owners should also be aware that in some situations kennels, veterinary clinics, and animal shelters might not be operational since they may have to evacuate too. Our animal shelter stays over its 200 animals capacity all year. There are 60,000 pets in Citrus County!
Even if there are community plans for animal sheltering of pets you will be more comfortable, and so would the pets, at a hotel/motel or with family or friends. An animal who is crated with proper identification, health records, and his/her own food supply is more likely to be welcomed in facilities or homes that do not usually allow pets.
Some hotels/motels do not normally allow animals, but lift the restriction during emergencies. Owners should be encouraged to practice responsible pet ownership by keeping their animals confined and quiet and preventing them from damaging hotel property. This gives you more alternatives to abandoning your pets or turning them in to a temporary animal shelter.
Evacuation Equipment and Supplies
When evacuating with your pets you should have the following supplies:
- A leash and a collar or halter with identification tags for most animals. Animals, such as birds and some reptiles, who cannot have identification on their bodies, must have proper identification on their cage if they are to be returned to their owner. Tags that have your contact information and an emergency contact will be helpful in case of separation.
- A portable carrier in which the animal can easily move around. Since the pet may have to live in the crate for several days, it is important that the crate be large enough for the pet to be able to stand, stretch, and turn around. For cats, the crate must be able to hold a small litter box and still leave room for the cat to move around.
- Water in gallon-size plastic containers; dry pet food, and food dishes. There should be a one to two week supply of food and water for the pet. Pets need 1 gallon of water per day per pet.
- A supply of the pet's regular medications, such as heartworm medicine and flea prevention products.
- Up-to-date health records, including vaccination history. Many veterinary clinics or kennels will not board dogs and cats without proof of vaccinations. Without that proof you may have to pay for the animal to be re-vaccinated.
- Written instructions on the pet's feeding schedule and diet, medications, and any special needs.
Horses and Livestock:
- Register your animals with your local animal shelter.
- Mark your animals with clear identification tags, microchips, tattoos, legbands or spray paint/permanent marker with your telephone number.
After the storm:
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
- If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.
- After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.
NOTE: Citrus County is in a COASTAL AREA, and therefore is subject to storm surge flooding of varying degree in hurricanes. Accommodations in the coastal flood hazard area will not be available in the event of a flood threat in those areas. Accommodations in the area may be sparse, as Citrus County includes many mobile home residents who must find shelter elsewhere in a hurricane threat. Visitors should not seek shelter in Citrus County if the surrounding areas are included in a hurricane WATCH or WARNING. The area would be able to provide accommodations for a limited number of evacuees from other areas if the storm threat does not include Citrus County. You might also try www.petswelcome.com