Veterinarian Emphasizes Preparation and Planning as Key to Keeping Pets Safe
WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — As hurricane season approaches, pet owners face unique challenges in protecting their beloved animals from severe weather. Dr. Jeanne Goodfellow, a professional services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, offers essential guidance for keeping pets safe during the stormy months.
With hurricane season running from June through November, Dr. Goodfellow emphasizes that preparation is crucial. “The good thing about hurricanes is they usually give us warning,” she explains, noting that pet owners should use this time wisely to create comprehensive emergency plans.
Microchipping: The First Line of Defense
The most critical step pet owners can take is ensuring their animals are microchipped. “Every pet should have a microchip,” Dr. Goodfellow stresses. “Even indoor pets can get scared and run off. Even cats that are indoors only can get very frightened and run off.”
Pet parents should always have their pet’s microchip ID permanently registered in a database. She recommends double-checking with a pet microchip company that has a recovery database, such as HomeAgain, https://www.homeagain.com/, to ensure all contact information is current and verify the chip remains active.
Understanding Pet Storm Anxiety
Most animals experience heightened stress during severe weather, with some developing full storm phobia. “They actually can feel the drop in pressure, the atmospheric pressure, and they feel the storm coming on,” Dr. Goodfellow explains. This natural sensitivity, combined with thunder and lightning, can create intense fear in pets.
To calm anxious animals, she suggests several strategies: keeping pets in interior rooms, playing soft music to mask storm sounds, using pheromone diffusers that mimic mother’s milk, and providing comfort items like an unwashed t-shirt with the owner’s scent. For dogs, compression garments like thunder shirts can provide a comforting “hug” sensation.
Essential Emergency Supplies
Pet owners should prepare emergency kits containing vaccination records, health documentation, and microchip information. When a hurricane approaches, families need two weeks’ worth of pet medication and food supplies. Dr. Goodfellow also recommends having non-retractable leashes and appropriate carriers or crates ready for potential shelter stays.
“Having preparations before the storm hits allows everyone to be safe,” she emphasizes, adding the crucial reminder: “never leave your pets behind.”
Evacuation Planning and Pet-Friendly Shelters
For those hesitant to evacuate due to pet concerns, Dr. Goodfellow offers reassurance. Many shelters accept pets, and hotels often waive pet policies during emergencies. She advises calling ahead to potential destinations to confirm pet accommodations and discuss specific animal needs.
“More than likely they will” accept pets during emergencies, she notes, encouraging pet owners to research their options through local county emergency management resources.
Health Risks During and After Storms
The disruption of routine during severe weather commonly causes anxiety and gastrointestinal upset in pets. Dr. Goodfellow recommends maintaining regular feeding schedules with small, frequent meals and avoiding diet changes during stressful periods.
Post-storm flooding presents serious health risks, particularly from leptospirosis, a bacterial disease found in contaminated water. This zoonotic disease can cause kidney failure, liver failure, and death in both pets and humans. All dogs should be vaccinated against leptospirosis, as they can contract it from stepping in dirty water, drinking from puddles, or even consuming morning dew where wild animals have urinated.
“It’s best to stay out of floodwaters,” Dr. Goodfellow advises, citing additional dangers including downed electrical wires, snakes, and sewage overflow.
Community Preparedness
Dr. Goodfellow notes that pets have become increasingly important family members over the past two decades, making it essential for communities to provide adequate pet-friendly emergency resources. “People will not leave without their pets,” she observes, highlighting the need for sufficient shelters that accept animals.
For pet owners facing financial hardship after storms, she recommends seeking help from nonprofit veterinary clinics that offer more economical options for animal care.
The Bottom Line
Dr. Goodfellow’s most important message is simple: “Have a plan. Don’t leave them behind.” She emphasizes the importance of empathy during these traumatic events, noting that leaving familiar environments and routines is extremely stressful for animals.
“When you take care of the pets, in turn you take care of the people,” she concludes, underscoring the interconnected nature of human and animal welfare during disasters.
Pet owners can contact their veterinarians for personalized emergency planning advice and storm-specific handouts. With proper preparation and planning, families can weather hurricane season safely together.
Dr. Jeanne Goodfellow is a professional services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health who specializes in educating veterinary professionals and the public about disease prevention and animal health. She has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2002.
“Photos courtesy of Merck Animal Health.”
