Remember – it’s still hurricane season and it’s important that island residents remain alert and prepared – just in case.

What about man’s [woman’s] best friend? We love our pets and they are important members of our families. But pets are not allowed in public evacuation shelters. What will happen to Rambo or Fifi if a hurricane hits the island and you must evacuate to a shelter?

Pet owners need to plan ahead and be sure to make advance preparations to ensure the safety of their pets in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Hurricane season runs through November in Hawai’i so there is still plenty of time for a visit from one of the dangerous storms. As you are preparing your family for a hurricane, include the care of your pets in the disaster plan.

Long before a hurricane heads toward the islands, you should decide what arrangements you are going to make for your pet. These might include residence at local boarding facilities or making advance arrangements with a dependable friend or relative who can care for it during an emergency. If neither of these situations is an option, you should determine the safest place in your home for your pet and be sure that you have provided for its needs.

If you plan to board your pet, check with veterinary clinics or the local humane society to locate boarding facilities. When selecting a facility, you should be sure that it is out of the hazard area and ask if the kennel has an emergency evacuation plan. Visit the facility to determine their requirements and make sure that it meets your standards.

Many boarding facilities will require proof of current vaccinations, so be sure to keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date. You should also keep a pet carrier on hand for each pet. The carrier should be large enough so that the animal can stand up and walk around inside it. Make sure that your pet has an opportunity to become familiar with the carrier ahead of time so that he feels comfortable when he has to be placed in it.

It is also a good idea to keep a current photo of your pet to help ensure identification if you are separated from him during the emergency.

You may plan to make advance arrangements with a dependable friend or relative for care of your pet. It should be a safe place that is away from coastal or low-lying areas.

You should be sure that your pet has a properly fitted collar and an identification tag on at all times. This is particularly important during hurricane conditions. Also keep a leash on hand in order to maintain control of your pet in the event that you need to take the animal to another location.

As you prepare the survival kit for your family, be sure to also stock up on pet food and cat litter for family pets. If they require special diets or medications, make certain to have a two weeks’ supply on hand. You should also stock up on newspaper, plastic bags and cleaners/disinfectants to handle pet wastes.

Once storm conditions are approaching, make sure to bring your pets indoors well ahead of any disaster conditions. Never leave pets outside or tied up.
If you need to evacuate your home, you should prepare an indoor area where your pet can stay. Such an area should be a place that is safe for your pet and is easy to clean. Be certain that there is protection from breaking glass, wind and noise. Use an area that is easy to clean, such as a tiled area or garage. Be sure that your pet has access to a high place, such as a counter top, in the event that flooding occurs.

Follow safety guidelines if you have more than one pet that you must leave behind.

- Do not confine a dog and cat together, even if they are normally friendly.
- Keep small pets, such as rabbits, mice and birds, away from dogs and cats.
- Leave difficult or aggressive animals in cages to ensure that they can’t get loose.
Prepare and be sure that your pet’s basic needs are provided for:
- Leave water for your pets in bathtubs or sturdy containers that will not spill. You should provide at least a three-day supply of water.
- Leave only dry-type foods to prevent the animals from overeating.
- Use special food dispensers for birds and fish. They must eat daily to survive.
- Put down newspapers to cover the floor and/or have cat litter containers available.

After the hurricane is over and it is safe for you to return home, be careful when letting your pet loose outdoors and make sure that it is wearing an identification tag. Scents and landmarks that are familiar to your pet may have changed during the storm and could cause it to get confused and lost. If your pet should become lost, call and visit the humane society as soon as possible.

For more information on how to prepare for your pets in a disaster, contact the Hawaiian Humane Society at 946-2187 or the Oahu Civil Defense Agency at 523-4121.

In the upcoming weeks, additional hurricane articles will be published in Hawaii Navy News. The information is intended to provide interesting and helpful information about hurricanes that will help to prepare you in the event that a hurricane moves toward the Hawaiian Islands.

More information about hurricanes and guidelines on hurricane preparedness may be found on Navy Channel 2 and on the Commander Navy Region Hawai’i Web page: www.hawaii.navy.mil. The Web page includes links to other sites that give helpful information about hurricane preparation.

The Navy family housing Resident Handbook also provides guidelines on disaster preparedness and evacuation. The front pages of the Oahu telephone directory are another valuable resource for information on hurricane preparation.
You may also obtain up-to-date information by calling: Oahu Civil Defense recorded information at 527-5372 and National Weather Service recorded advisories at 973-4381. Listen to the weather advisories on local radio and television stations.
Keep in mind that your pets are totally dependent upon you for their care and safety in the event of a hurricane. Be a responsible pet owner to man’s best friend.

(Some information provided by Oahu Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Humane Society.)
Don't forget to get your pet Micro-Chipped. It is a good idea for all year round safely not just hurricane season.

For boarding information during a hurricane call Animal Clinic at 352-732-9100.