Plan in advance to protect your pets when the storm comes

Source: AARP.org

Alfredo Rodriguez’s Miami neighborhood was battered hard by Hurricane Wilma.  Because his home is not in an evacuation zone, he chose to stay and weather the storm. 

Preparing in advance.

Wilma knocked out power for two weeks.  Wisely, Rodriguez had made necessary preparations for himself as well as for his pet Yorkie, Chiqui.  Rodriguez followed a checklist of pet supplies from the Humane Society of Greater Miami.  He made sure his dog had enough food and water for two weeks, medications, up-to-date health records and first aid supplies.  Unfortunately, his pet birds were not as lucky.  Because Rodriguez was unable to store them inside the house, the aviary in which they lived in his backyard was blown away by the storm, killing all the birds.

“When I was preparing for the storm, I made all the necessary arrangements for my dog just as I would for myself or any other member of my family,” Rodriguez said.  Rodriguez wanted to do the same for his birds, but he couldn’t afford to buy small cages for them.  He also said he never thought Wilma – a Category 1 storm – would be strong enough to destroy his aviary.

Related Articles:

Five Steps for a Safe Hurricane Season
Follow these five steps to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property during the Florida hurricane season. 
  
Review your insurance
It's boring. If you don't do it, you may wish you had. 
  
"Harden" your home against hurricane winds
Pick the right type of hurricane shutter to protect your home. 
  
Prepare two hurricane kits
One helps if you evacuate. The other helps when you get home. 
  
Evacuate—the smart way
Evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds of miles 
  
Document your home and possessions
Photograph your home for insurance records.

Other Resources:

Florida Emergency Information
(For state & county emergency management specifics) . . www.floridadisaster.org
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Registration & housing assistance . . . . . . . . .. . . 1-800-621-3362 or www.fema.org
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Work relief and placement program . . . . . 1-800-879-6076 or www.fema.org
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(For checking contractor’s licenses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-532-1440 or http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/
Florida Department of Financial Services
(For claim information or insurance problems) . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 1-800-227-8676 or http://www.fldfs.com/
Florida Attorney General’s Office (Price gouging hotline) . . . . . . 1-866-966-7226 or http://myfloridalegal.com/
Florida Consumer Hotline (General consumer problems) . . . . . . 1-800-435-7352 or www.stateofflorida.com
Florida Elder Helpline (County specific information and assistance) . . 1-800-963-5337 or http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/index.php
Free, Unrestricted 24-hour Crisis Hotline
(Provided by United Healthcare of Florida) . . .. . . . . . . . . 1-877-337-4168 or www.unitedhealthcareonline.com