Pet Owner's Guide to Navigating Hurricane Season in Savannah, Pooler, and Surrounding Areas
While life in the Coastal Plains is undoubtedly beautiful, it does come with some dangerous storms. Hurricane season starts June 1 and lasts through November 30. The best way to prepare is to plan ahead! We have provided information and links to help you get your home, family, and pets prepared for anything that comes our way.
Make A Plan
Make sure that cats and dogs are microchipped and wearing collars with up-to-date identification tags, including your cell phone number. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them microchipped; make sure the microchip registration is in your name. But remember: The average person who finds your pet won't be able to scan for a chip, but they will probably be able to read a basic tag!
Find a trusted neighbor, friend or family member and give them a key. Make sure this backup caretaker is comfortable and familiar with your pets (and vice versa). Make sure your backup caretaker knows your pets’ feeding and medication schedule, location and habits. If you use a pet-sitting service, find out in advance if they’ll be able to help in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected hospital visit or a snowstorm that leaves you stranded.
Make sure all your pets are current on their vaccines and have copies of those records handy. Some of the shelters, rescues, hotels, clinics and boarding kennels that might temporarily house pets during disasters will require vaccination records. If your pet need's updated shots or records, give us a call.
Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Inquire if a "no pet" policy would be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home. The longer you wait, the less likely there will be vacancies at nearby locations.
Make a list of boarding facilities that might be able to shelter animals during disasters and emergencies (and make sure to include their 24-hour telephone numbers). For a list of local boarding facilities, visit our city guide for recommendations
Evacuate early. Don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process less stressful. Please contact your local Emergency Management Agency if you need assistance evacuating your residence/shelter.
Prepare Your Disaster Kit
