Special arrangements need to be made during a hurricane for your pets. Shelters won’t take them. Be sure to plan ahead. During a disaster, public shelters will not permit pets. Seeing eye or hearing guide dogs will be permitted. The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, boarding kennels and veterinary hospitals will not board animals during a disaster. Therefore, it will be necessary to make arrangements for pets prior to a disaster.
Proper planning for the care of your pet(s) prior to a disaster is critical to their survival. If evacuation orders are recommended, leave in a timely manner and take enough provisions for one week.
- Taking Your Animal(s) With You
- Pets should be transported in carriers for their protection and yours.
- Proper ID tags should be worn.
- Have an ample supply of food and water available.
- Be sure to have required medications and a First-Aid Kit.
- Have a photograph of all pets for identification purposes.
- Don’t let your pet become stranded.
- It is important to have a carrier for your pet.
- Research availability of motels that will accept pets in the area in which you plan to go.
- Notify the local law enforcement agency if your pet gets lost.
There is one pet-friendly shelter in Indian River County, located at Liberty Magnet School at 6850 81st St. in the north central part of the county. The Humane Society has accepted the responsibility of helping administer this shelter, which includes collecting the advance registration applications required from those who plan to use this facility.
The application can be downloaded here: http://www.irces.com/EM/documents/pet_shelterform.pdf