June 1st Marks Hurricane Season: What You Need to Know 🌀

Hello, fellow pet lovers!

Summer is already in full swing and while the sunny days and warm evenings are perfect for outdoor fun, June also marks the beginning of hurricane season. As it's National Pet Preparedness Month, there's no better time to ensure our furry friends are ready for the upcoming months. Here’s how to keep your pets safe and prepared for hurricanes while enjoying the summer.

Hurricane Preparedness for Your Pets

Emergency Kit Essentials: Creating a pet emergency kit is crucial. Here’s what to include:

• Food and Water: A week's supply of food and water for each pet. Don’t forget a can opener if you use canned food.

• Medications: Include any medications your pet needs, along with medical records stored in a waterproof container.

• Leash, Harness, and Carrier: Ensure you have sturdy, easily accessible leashes, harnesses, and carriers. These are vital for safely transporting your pets.

• Comfort Items: Pack favorite blankets, toys, and treats to help reduce stress during an emergency.

• Sanitation: Bring waste bags, a litter box, and litter for cats.

Evacuation Planning: Know your evacuation routes and have a list of pet-friendly shelters or hotels. Here’s how to prepare:

• Microchipping: Ensure your pets are microchipped and that their identification tags have up-to-date contact information.

• Shelter Information: Identify pet-friendly shelters in your area. The local animal control office can provide information on shelters that accept pets.

• Transportation: Make sure you have a safe way to transport all your pets. Practice getting your pets into their carriers or cars to reduce stress during an actual evacuation.

Calming Techniques: Hurricanes can be extremely stressful for pets. Here are some ways to help them stay calm:

• Familiar Items: Bring their favorite toys, blankets, and treats to provide comfort.

• Calming Sprays and Diffusers: Use calming sprays or pheromone diffusers to help ease anxiety.

• Quiet Space: Create a quiet, secure space for your pets to retreat to during the storm. A crate with a blanket over it can work well for dogs, while a small, enclosed area might be better for cats.

Keeping Cool and Safe in the Summer Heat

While hurricane preparedness is crucial, let’s not forget the importance of keeping our pets cool and safe during the hot summer days. Here are some quick tips:

Hydration is Key: Always provide fresh, cool water for your pets. For dogs, consider keeping a water bowl both inside and outside

. For other pets like cats or rabbits, ensure their water bowls are frequently refilled and kept in the shade.

Avoiding the Hottest Hours: Plan your outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day—early mornings or late evenings. This helps in avoiding the intense heat and prevents paw pad burns from hot pavement.

Sun Protection and Heatstroke Awareness: Apply pet-safe sunscreen to sensitive areas like the nose, ears, and belly, especially if your pet has light-colored fur or thin hair. Keep an eye out for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, and vomiting. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cooler area immediately, offer water, and seek veterinary care.

Our staff is trained to recognize signs of heatstroke, distress, and other conditions that your pets may experience. If you have any specific requests for us to integrate into our visits with your pets, please let us know!

I hope you have a fun & safe Summer! ☀️

Catch you later,

Caleb Kidwell // Owner

(561) 222-1753 • info@petcarepbc.com

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