Hurricane Prep for Pets in Broward, what to pack and where to go

Hurricane season in Broward County asks for calm planning, not last minute scrambling. Your pets rely on you to think ahead, pack smart, and know where to go if an evacuation order lands. This guide walks you through a Broward specific hurricane preparedness plan for pets, from go bags to routes, so you can protect your animals with confidence.

Start with a written plan

Write one page, keep a copy on the fridge and in your pet hurricane go bag. Include:

• Pet names, breeds, weights, microchip numbers

• Vet contact, vaccine dates, prescriptions

• Two emergency contacts outside South Florida

• Preferred boarding or pet friendly hotel options

• Your likely evacuation route out of Broward County

Share this plan with a neighbor or friend in Plantation, Davie, Weston, Sunrise, Cooper City, or Fort Lauderdale in case you are separated.

Build a pet hurricane go bag, item by item

Aim for a three to seven day supply. Pack in a waterproof tote or backpack.

Food and water

• 3 to 7 days of your pet’s regular food, in airtight containers

• Manual can opener for wet food

• Collapsible bowls

• One gallon of water per pet per day, especially for Broward heat and post storm outages

Health and meds

• Printed vet records and vaccination proof

• Two week supply of prescriptions with labels

• Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives

• First aid kit, gauze, vet wrap, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, digital thermometer

ID and documents

• Extra collar with current tags

• Leash, slip lead as backup

• Recent photo of you with your pet for proof of ownership

• Microchip info and login details to update your address if you evacuate

Comfort and control

• Crate or carrier labeled with your name and phone number

• Muzzle if your dog is anxious for vet handling

• Favorite toy, small bed blanket, calming treats

• Waste bags, litter and disposable trays for cats, puppy pads

Cleanliness

• Pet safe wipes and dry shampoo

• Small towels

• Bleach or disinfectant for crates, mixed per label

• Paper towels and trash bags

Power and communications

• Power bank for your phone

• Printed hotel list and emergency numbers because cell coverage can drop

• Battery powered fan if you have a small crate and no AC

For horses or large animals, add halters with ID tags, lead ropes, seven day feed and hay supply, water storage, fly spray, medical records, Coggins test copy, and a marker to write your phone number on hooves if needed.

Crate training now saves panic later

If your pet is not crate trained, begin today. Ten minutes, once or twice a day, treats tossed in, door open at first. Short, calm reps build comfort. In storms, a familiar crate becomes a safe den, not a new stress.

Where to go in Broward County, practical paths

You have three broad choices when a watch becomes a warning.

1) Shelter in place, only if safe
If you are not in an evacuation zone and your home is fortified, create a safe interior room. Move pets into carriers ahead of time, close doors, play white noise to soften wind noise, and keep water ready. Walk dogs before feeder bands make it unsafe.

2) Pet friendly hotels outside surge zones
Book early. Hotels across Broward and nearby counties often relax pet policies during storms, but rooms vanish quickly. Search by city names you already serve, Plantation, Davie, Weston, Sunrise, Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, and expand outward along your preferred route. Ask about pet fees, weight limits, proof of vaccines, and how many animals they allow per room.

3) Friends or family inland
If you can stay with trusted people inland, share your plan and arrival time. Bring your pet gear, respect their space, and secure pets indoors at all times. Many post storm injuries happen during loose, stressful moments.

Local note, some county managed general population shelters do not accept pets inside the main area. In declared events, the county may open designated pet friendly sheltering, usually with proof of vaccines, carriers, and supplies required. Policies can change season by season, so confirm with the county’s emergency management updates each year before the first major storm forms.

Evacuation timing and routes

Leave early. Traffic on I 595, I 75, and the Turnpike tightens quickly. If you are in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, or Pompano Beach near surge zones, plan a west or north route before winds pick up. If you are in Plantation, Davie, Weston, Sunrise, or Cooper City, you may still face flooding, so keep options flexible. Gas up ahead of time, carry cash, and keep a printed map in case cell service dips.

During the storm, simple rules protect your pet

• Keep pets indoors, in carriers or on leashes when moving between rooms

• Do not sedate without your vet’s guidance, light calming aids are safer

• Refill water bowls often, heat drains energy

• Maintain potty breaks with pads or litter boxes to avoid doors during peak winds

• Keep windows and blinds shut to reduce visual triggers

After the storm, assume hazards everywhere

Downed lines, sharp debris, displaced wildlife, and pooled water create risks. Keep dogs leashed even in familiar neighborhoods in Plantation or Davie. Check paws after each walk. Do not let pets drink from standing water. Resume regular routines as quickly as possible, meals and walks at usual times, to settle nerves.

Special notes for senior pets and pets with medical needs

• Pack extra meds and a hard copy dosing schedule

• Bring a non slip mat for tile floors in hotels

• Use a harness for better support during stairs and slick entrances

• For anxious pets, practice calming drills now, mat work, sniff games, slow feeding puzzles

Large animal and horse care, quick checklist

Broward’s equestrian pockets, especially around Davie and Plantation Acres, need clear pre storm actions.

• Keep halters on with ID, braid a tag into mane

• Photograph each horse for records

• Fill water troughs, storms can cut supply

• Secure loose fencing and clear aisles

• If evacuating, leave early, trailer tires checked, routes mapped

• If staying, choose the safest barn area and remove sharp hardware

Communication that works when it matters

Create a group text with your vet, your nearest dog walker in Broward County, and a trusted neighbor. Share your plan and backup. If you are traveling for work, line up pet sitting or overnight dog sitting before the first advisory. A standing relationship with a local pro gives you cover if your flight shifts or roads close.

Quick printable checklist

• Written plan and contacts

• Food and water, 3 to 7 days

• Medications and vet records

• ID tags, leash, harness, photos

• Crate or carrier with labels

• Comfort items and cleaning supplies

• Power bank and printed hotel list

• For horses, halters with ID, feed, water storage, records

Preparation turns a storm from chaos into a sequence. Your pets feel your steadiness. Your plan carries the weight so you can act without rushing.

Need help building your plan or coverage during a storm?

Book pet sitting and dog walking in Broward County with Hoof & Paw Pet. We support Plantation, Davie, Weston, Sunrise, Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, and nearby areas with calm, experienced care. Tell us your pet’s needs, we will set up a custom storm plan and reliable coverage.