With Hurricane Milton making its way toward the coast of Florida, there are growing concerns for the safety of both people and pets, sparking extensive discussions on social media.

Among myriad posts about how to safeguard families, one particular post garnered significant attention on Wednesday, serving as a cautionary tale.

The Florida Highway Patrol-Tampa shared a video depicting police discovering a dog tied to a fence near Interstate 75 in Tampa. The footage shows the officer approaching the frightened dog, which is standing in water up to its belly, with the officer reassuring the animal, acknowledging its distress.

“Please do NOT treat your pets this way,” the accompanying caption warned. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis also shared the video, stating, “It’s inhumane to leave a dog tied up during a looming storm. Florida will ensure that those who mistreat animals are held accountable.”

See the rescue footage here

Online, various discussions have emerged about the best ways to ensure animal safety as Hurricane Milton approaches. One horse owner posted a video showing how they painted their phone number on their horse’s side to facilitate reuniting post-storm. Others chimed in, sharing how they were creating name tags with contact information braided into their horses’ manes.

“Many don’t recognize that this is the standard and best practice for preserving horses during a disaster,” commented user @adversewitness. “Releasing them gives them a chance to find higher ground. It’s not cruel—it’s cruel to confine them in a fenced area where they could drown.”

For numerous pet owners, the idea of leaving their animals behind is heart-wrenching. Yet, in certain emergency situations, severe conditions, limited resources, and urgent time constraints can compel individuals to make difficult, immediate choices.

How to Prepare Effectively

“Preparation is essential,” stated Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team, in an interview with YSL News. “If you live in a disaster-prone area, having a detailed plan is crucial.”

Residents in high-risk zones should put together a pet disaster kit ahead of time. This kit should ideally contain veterinary and vaccination records in a waterproof bag, photos of your pet to help in case of separation, any necessary medications, a crate or carrier, a harness and leash, and a few days’ supply of food and water.

Additionally, identify potential temporary care facilities for your pets should you need to evacuate without them.

“Reach out to local Animal Services or community disaster facilities to find out if temporary boarding is available. They may utilize fairgrounds or farms for this purpose,” she added.

However, Johnson acknowledged that emergencies sometimes arise unexpectedly with little time for thorough preparation.

“If conditions worsen rapidly, prioritize your and your pet’s safety. Take your pet along, grab essentials, and evacuate quickly. Local animal services or emergency centers often have supplies like food and leashes available if you didn’t manage to leave with them,” she said.

Advice for Small Pets

“For smaller pets, we urge you to bring them along if possible,” Johnson advised. “If you can’t take them, contact local animal services or emergency management agencies to find out about shelters or boarding services available during disasters.”

If you find yourself unable to evacuate with your pet, avoid tying them up, locking them away, or leaving them in a crate.

“If they are secured, they won’t be able to escape danger,” she warned.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends finding the highest point in your home or a room with high shelves and counters for your pets during floods. Additionally, preemptively filling bathtubs and sinks with water can ensure you and your pets have access to clean water in case of a power outage.

The ASPCA remains active in North Carolina, offering support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. They provide guidance for caring for various animals, including birds, reptiles, and small pets like hamsters. You can find additional details on their disaster preparedness webpage.

Tips for Managing Large Animals Like Livestock and Horses

Handling large farm animals can be quite challenging. While it’s advisable to evacuate any animals you can, transporting larger ones like horses may not be feasible.

Much like with smaller pets, emergency services will typically set up shelters for larger animals away from the storm’s path. Occasionally, local residents offer their farms or land for this purpose.

“Ensure barn doors are unlocked,” Johnson advised. “Animals tend to seek higher ground during emergencies. If there’s a need for them to escape quickly, having unlocked doors will allow them to flee if necessary.”

At times, allowing animals to stay put on higher ground while you bring them food and water is also a smart option.

Additional advice from the Humane Society of the United States includes:

• Prepare an emergency kit with veterinary records, medicines, necessary supplies, photos, and several days’ worth of food and water. Microchip your horses beforehand.
• Label large animals with a non-toxic paint, showing your name, phone number, address, and other contact details.
• Make sure poultry can access elevated perches, along with food and clean water above any potential flood levels.
• Strengthen your home, barns, and outbuildings with hurricane straps and additional protective measures.
• Remove barbed wire and consider changing the layout of permanent fencing to allow animals to reach high ground, securing or removing anything that could become a projectile during high winds.
• If you use heat lamps or electrical equipment, ensure the wiring is safe and any heat sources are free of flammable materials.