As Hurricane Season Begins, Pet Experts Urge Owners Not to Forget Their Four-Legged Family Members

ESTERO, Fla. — As Southwest Florida residents stock up on water, batteries and emergency supplies for hurricane season, pet experts say one important family member is often left out of the conversation: pets.

That was the focus of a hurricane preparedness event Saturday at Paw-radise Estero, where pet owners gathered with their dogs to learn how to prepare for a storm before one appears in the forecast.

The event featured hurricane safety presentations, pet first-aid information, dog training demonstrations and even hurricane-themed cookie decorating. While the atmosphere was fun and family-friendly, organizers said the goal was to help owners think beyond their own emergency plans and consider what their pets may need during a disaster.

"We all forget about our pets last," said Jeanne Romanello, manager at Paw-radise Estero. "You need your dog food, your treats, your toys and everything to make your pet happy and safe during a storm."

For many pet owners, hurricane preparation means more than simply packing extra food.

WINK News meteorologist Josh Green spoke with attendees about the importance of including pets in evacuation plans. He encouraged owners to identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels and evacuation destinations before a storm threatens Southwest Florida.

"I know the stress is already there enough to protect yourself, your family and your property," Green said. "But you have to think about having a plan for your pets as well."

That planning becomes even more important when families are forced to evacuate quickly.

Alexis Foreman, owner of Sit Means Sit Dog Training, used the event to teach recall and obedience skills that could prove critical during an emergency. She said dogs can become anxious and unpredictable when routines are disrupted, especially during evacuations and severe weather.

"Maybe leashes might get disconnected, doors might get open, so we want to make sure regardless of what the conditions are, our dogs can come back to us," Foreman said.

Among those attending was Renee Beck and her dog Bella, who has already experienced multiple hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian.

Beck said surviving previous storms taught her that pets often mirror their owners' emotions.

"We make sure she has plenty of food and water, and if we're not too stressed, she's not too stressed," Beck said.

Animal rescuers say preparation can make the difference between keeping pets safe and creating heartbreaking situations after a storm passes.

Carri Wagner, president of Fur and Tails Animal Rescue, said her organization often helps locate displaced animals after hurricanes and tropical storms. She urged pet owners to make sure animals are microchipped, properly registered and included in family evacuation plans.

"We've seen animals left in crates. Storm surge comes, the garage is flooding," Wagner said. "We've seen some pretty serious, sad situations."

Wagner said many of those situations could have been prevented with earlier planning.

As hurricane season ramps up, experts recommend pet owners assemble emergency kits that include food, water, medications, vaccination records, leashes, carriers and comfort items such as toys or blankets. They also encourage owners to research pet-friendly shelters and accommodations before a storm is approaching.

For organizers at Saturday's event, the message was simple: preparing for a hurricane should include every member of the family — including the ones with four legs.

And while hurricane-themed dog treats and training exercises may have made the lessons more fun, organizers hope pet owners walked away with something more important: a plan.