Hurricane Preparedness

 

	Register for a Pet-Friendly Public Shelter		Animal Services Pet Friendly Shelter Registration Form
	Other Shelter Options		Pet Identification Form
	Disaster Supply Kit for Pets
	Preparation Tips
	After a Storm Tips

 

Register for a Pet-Friendly Public Shelter:

 

Pinellas County pet owners have new options when it comes to pet-friendly emergency shelters. The Pinellas County School Board and Pinellas County government provide these three pet-friendly shelter locations.

 

• Oak Grove Middle School
  1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater
• Thurgood Marshall Middle School
  3901 22nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg
• Dunedin Middle School
  70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin

 

The facilities are substantially-built, have large indoor gyms and separate air handlers to ensure the comfort and safety of allergic citizens who shelter there.

Residents must preregister themselves and their pets for these pet-friendly shelters, as space is limited. Mobile home residents are given first priority.

Call (727) 582-2150 or download a registration form and return it to:

 

Pinellas County Animal Services
12450 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774

Fax (727) 582-2637

 

Other Shelter Options:

Animal shelters, such as Pinellas County Animal Services, the Humane Society and the SPCA, cannot accept your pets.

 

Also don’t assume that a boarding kennel or hotel/motel will accept your pet. Check ahead and look for kennels in non-evacuation zones. For pet-friendly hotels/motels call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (727) 464-7200 or during an evacuation go to www.visitstpeteclearwater.com

 

Other online sources for pet-friendly hotel/motel information:

 

• www.floridapets.net
• www.petswelcome.com
• www.LetsGoPets.com
• www.petfriendlyhotels.com
• www.petfriendlytravel.com
• www.1clickpethotels.com
• www.travelpets.com
• www.dogfriendly.com

 

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Disaster Supply Kit for Pets:

 

• Proper identification
• Immunization records
• County license rabies tag
• Food and water (2 wks. supply)
• A carrier or portable kennel
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash
• Manual can opener
• Current photo of pet
• Feeding and water bowls
• Favorite toys and blanket
• Cat litter/pan and scoop
• Grooming items
• Plastic bags to handle waste

 

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Preparation Tips:

 

• Plan for your pet well in advance if you live in an evacuation area.
  Write down your plan or create a check list.
• Take your pet when you evacuate.
• Know your evacuation route and when you will evacuate.
• Ask friends or family living outside of evacuation areas if they can keep
  your pet.
• Make sure you have a collar and leash for keeping your pet under control.
• Keep a pet carrier (portable kennel) for each pet – one that allows your pet to stand and turn around. The carrier should be marked with your pet’s identification.
• Make sure all your pet’s vaccinations are current and have proof available of its current county-issued rabies vaccination.
• Pack supplies for your pet including current veterinary records, a two-week supply of food and water, medications with instructions, bowls, favorite toy and blanket, cat litter/pan, plastic bags, collar/leash, disinfectants to handle pet wastes and a current photo of you with your pet.
• If you must use a kennel as a last resort, make sure it is not in an evacuation zone and reserve space as soon as possible. Kennels require proof of vaccinations.
• Make sure your pet has proper identification with either a collar tag or a microchip implant. Have proof of current county-issued rabies vaccination available. A license is your pet’s ticket home. Download a Pet Identification Form here. Fill out this form and adhere to your pet carrier or kennel. This form will contain all needed information about your pet for your stay at Pinellas County pet-friendly shelters.

 

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After A Storm:

 

• Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. Often, familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.
• Reptiles brought in with flood water and debris can pose a threat for animals after a disaster.
• Bring along a picture of your pet for identification.
• After adisaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive. Monitor their behavior.

Post-Disaster Animal Collection Temporary Collection Sites:

 

After a storm, stray animals will be collected and staged at temporary collection sites prior to transfer to more permanent shelters. The location of these collection sites will be determined based on prevailing conditions. Every effort will be made to inform the public of these locations so that animals can be returned to their owners as quickly as possible.

 

Once the site(s) have been determined you should look for your pet(s) at the location nearest your home and where you last saw your pet. To report a lost pet, call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.

 

 

 

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Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center
Department of Emergency Management
Citizen Information Center
(727) 464-3800
(during an emergency activation call (727) 464-4333)

 

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