Orange County Animal Services is reminding residents to plan ahead as North Carolina prepares for Hurricane Florence to hit later this week. The hurricane is currently a Category 4 in the Atlantic and Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency ahead of its arrival.

Animal Services says that forming a plan for you and your pet is the best way to ensure everyone remains safe and recommends the following (via ready.gov):

  • Have your pets microchipped and make sure they are wearing up-to-date identification tags.
  • Prepare a supply of food and water that will last for at least three days for you and your pets.
  • Make sure you have copies of medical records for you and your pets on hand.
  • Prepare a first aid kit that includes: cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, and saline solution. Try to include a pet first aid reference book.
  • Have sturdy crates or carriers in case you need to evacuate. The carriers should be large enough for your pets to stand, turn around, and lie down.
  • Consider supplies for sanitation: litter and litter box for cats, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, and a household cleaner.
  • Pack familiar items for your pets (such as treats, toys, and bedding) to decrease their stress.
  • Carry a picture of you and your pets together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pets together will help you document ownership and allow others to better assist you.
  • Investigate possible evacuation shelters for you and your pets. Be sure the shelters you have in mind are pet-friendly. Map out primary and secondary routes to shelters in advance.
  • If you evacuate your home, locate boarding facilities or animal hospitals near your evacuation shelter. You may also contact an out-of-town friend or relative who can house you and your pets.
  • Find pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route and make sure to have your pets’ vaccination records ready for them.

If no alternative exists but to leave your pet at home, there are precautions you can take but leaving pets home along during a hurricane places them in great danger. For more information, go to https://www.ready.gov/animals.

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