Hurricane season is in full swing, and people all over the United States are being impacted.
A category 4 hurricane, Hurricane Ian, just barreled through Cuba and is set to land down in Florida. Depending on how close they are to the storm's path, people throughout the Southeast are either evacuating or hunkering down.
Of course, humans aren't the only ones being displaced; they also have to make sure their pets stay safe from scary conditions.
There are plenty of things you can do right now to help dogs and cats in need after storms have passed. But if you're in a region that might be affected by a hurricane, there are also plenty of things you can do to help your own pets through the storm.
One Facebook user decided to share their genius hack with the Love What Matters community, and all dog owners should take note in the event they cross paths with the storm.
The user shares a great way to make sure that your dog has somewhere they can do their business when it's not safe enough to go outside:
Hurricane tip:
Put pieces of sod in a kiddie pool and put it in your garage. You have a safe place for your dogs to potty during the storm.
Never let dogs off leash into the yard during the storm, dogs get easily spooked during hurricanes and may take off, scaling even a large fence. Also, fences and gates are easily knocked open/over during hurricanes. Keep your pets safe and secured.
Please do not take your dog outside during the height of the storm. If it's not safe for you to be outside it's not safe for them.
Also, if you are evacuating, please take your animals with you. There are plenty of resources out there to help!
Even if you can't get ahold of sod before the storm hits, laying down wee-wee pads or newspaper is much safer than allowing your pet outside during the storm.
Additionally, there are all sorts of other things that you may not initially think of when preparing your pets for a disaster.
Luckily, The ASPCA has a list of things you need and may not initially have thought about when it comes to being prepared for a storm.
First, every pet owner should get a sticker to alert rescuers of their presence and to communicate the presence of animals, in case you require aid from first responders.
If possible, it's important to locate a safe haven where you can keep your dog if your house becomes inhabitable.
This could mean a motel, dog-friendly hotel, animal shelter, or virtually anywhere safe and dry. It doesn't matter where, as long as your pup is safe.
Also remember to save copies of your pet's medical records. They may not be the first thing you think of, and hopefully you can save them digitally.
You may be very relieved that you kept ahold of these in the event of an emergency, or if your pet needs immediate medical attention.
This might go without saying, but make sure to have a pet first aid kit handy.
You never know what might happen in the storm, and some bandaging or antiseptic could be the difference between life and death in this difficult time.
In case you are separated from your pet for any reason, you should save photos of them. While photos on your phone are good, you never know what might happen to your electronics, so it's a good idea to also have a hard copy just in case.
Remember to put almost everything in sealed ziplock bags. This includes food, medical records, photos, or anything that will not be able to make contact with water. Plus, they're good for organizing.
Last but not least, remember to grab your pet's medication if they have any. It can easily be the last thing you think of for yourself, so don't forget about your furry friend's medical needs either!
If you live in an area of the country impacted by Ian or other tropical storms and hurricanes, please take a look at this guideline to weathering a hurricane safely.
Please SHARE this helpful information with your friends on Facebook!
