Pet Preparedness During a Hurricane

Related FAQs

• What must I bring to a pet-friendly evacuation shelter?
  • Provide proof of residency within an evacuation zone. Examples include: a valid photo identification and recent utility bill showing current address for adult registrant. 
  • Present medical and current vaccination records for each pet. Annual rabies vaccinations and a visible Miami-Dade County dog license are required. Strict enforcement concerning these violations is essential to ensure a rabies-free community. Cats are also required to have annual rabies vaccinations.
  • Pet owners must bring supplies for themselves and their pet.
  • Limit four pets per household.
  • At least one family member must remain in the evacuation center with the pet.

  Pet owners must be prepared to care and maintain control over their pets at all time.
  
  In order to avoid injury to response personnel or the public, owners are required to:

  • Maintain their pets in a crate, on a leash or otherwise controlled
  • Muzzle aggressive or anxious pets

  Pet owners should also be aware of the following circumstances:

  • Should there be a need to monitor pets for contamination, owners must maintain control of the pet and follow the directions of the responders providing the emergency services.
  • Should there be a need to wash contaminants from pets, owners shall be expected to conduct the wash down under the direction of emergency responders.
  • Pets that become a threat to responders or the public will be placed under the control of an animal control officer.
• What type of pets are allowed at a pet-friendly evacuation center?

  Pet-friendly evacuation centers accept up to four pets per person including the following animals:

  • birds
  • ferrets
  • gerbils
  • guinea pigs
  • hamsters
  • mice
  • rats
  • rabbits (small-sized, under 10 pounds, such as California or Dutch breeds)
• Can I bring my service animal to a hurricane or disaster shelter?

  Service animals are permitted at all types of hurricane or disaster shelters including the general population shelters managed by the American Red Cross, special needs shelters and pet-friendly shelters. Pet-friendly shelters are ideal for domestic pets.