Every hurricane season, we urge you to have a plan for your family - and that should include your pets.
If you evacuate during a storm, always bring your pet with you. Remember that during an emergency, many public shelters don't allow animals so consider alternatives like pet-friendly hotels or friends and family who will let you bring your pets.
"The first thing you should do to protect your pets ahead of time is to make sure they are microchipped. Microchipping is the best thing. If they get separated from you, they get scared during storms. You can stop for gas and they’ll bolt out of your car. So if we get them microchipped and we have them in our system, you can be reunited much quicker," Lee County Animal Services PIO Karen Frick said.
Over 50% of dogs with microchips are reunited with their owners following separation due to a storm.
"They get anxious too. They help us with our anxiety but they’re going to get anxious with the storms as well," Frick added.
A hurricane kit can help ease that anxiety.
"Bed, food, we always say at least two weeks' worth of food and water for them. And a first aid kit is great for your pets. You never know when they’re going to get hurt. Have stuff available. You can pack it the same for yourself and it’ll be good for you, good for your pets. Toys, comfort items, and definitely have a leash and a collar," Frick said.
After Hurricane Ian, hundreds of pets were separated from their owners.
A reunion was in store for many cat owners like Joe Salvaggio, who rode out the storm in his home on Fort Myers Beach.
"I went outside just to double check and my mouth dropped because now I see a huge river of water coming down the street with all debris in it," Salvaggio said.
Joe grabbed his cats, Mittens and Zoey, to take cover in his attic for nearly 20 hours.
Joe said all he could do was hope the water would not rise any further. As the water finally started to recede, Joe says he found a flat spot to set the kittens down on before they both ran in separate directions.
"That was the last time I saw them until they were rescued," Salvaggio said.
Within two weeks, the cats were found after Joe got a call from animal services - and there is no better feeling than being reunited after such a daunting event.
"I was in tears when I saw Zoe, I was, I really was. I was so excited to see her and she was excited to see me," Salvaggio said.
At the end of the day, our pets have no one except us to rely on to protect them.
"These animals have no one except you, their parents, owners, whatever you want to call us, and they depend on us," Salvaggio said.
So in the event of a major storm, it's best advised to wait until the last minute to protect yourself and your furry companion(s).
For more information on hurricane guidelines for pets in Lee County, click here .