Hurricane Season Pet Preparedness for Ascension Parish

If your family has lived in south Louisiana for long, you know the drill. June arrives, and we all start watching the Gulf. Hurricane season runs through November, and here in Ascension Parish, preparing is not optional. Most families have a plan for the people in the house. But what about the pets? A little planning now can make all the difference when a storm heads our way.

Build a pet emergency kit

Put together a go-bag for each pet and keep it where you can grab it fast. Here is what belongs inside:

Food and water. Pack at least seven days of food and bottled water, plus bowls. Rotate the food every few months so it stays fresh.

Medications. Keep at least two weeks of any medication your pet takes, including heartworm and flea prevention. If refills are running low as a storm approaches, call our on-site pharmacy at (225) 677-5005 early. Do not wait until the day before landfall.

Records. Keep copies of vaccine records in a waterproof bag or saved on your phone. Shelters and boarding facilities almost always ask for proof of vaccines.

Comfort and control. Pack a sturdy leash, a carrier for each cat, waste bags, litter and a small pan, and a favorite toy or blanket. Familiar smells calm a stressed pet.

Make sure your pet can be identified

Storms are the number one time pets go missing. Fences blow down, doors open during loading, and scared animals bolt. Two layers of ID protect your pet. First, a collar with current tags. Second, a microchip with your current phone number registered to it. A microchip takes seconds to place during a regular wellness exam. If your pet already has a chip, take a minute today to confirm the registration lists your current number.

Update vaccines before you need them

If you evacuate, your pet may stay at a boarding facility, a friend's house with other animals, or a pet-friendly shelter. Every one of those places puts your pet close to unfamiliar animals. Current vaccinations protect your pet in exactly these situations. Check your pet's records now, before a storm has a name. If anything is due, get it done early in the season.

Plan where your pet will go

The most important rule is simple. If it is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pet. Never leave pets behind during an evacuation. Decide now where your pets will ride out a storm:

If you stay, bring pets indoors well before the weather turns. Set up a safe interior room with their crate, food, and litter. Keep leashes by the door in case you need to leave quickly.

If you evacuate, search for pet-friendly hotels along your route ahead of time. Ask family or friends outside the storm area if pets are welcome. Line up a backup boarding option in a safer city.

Think about the after-storm hazards

The danger does not end when the wind stops. Floodwater around Port Vincent, French Settlement, and other low-lying areas can carry bacteria, chemicals, snakes, and fire ants. Keep dogs on a leash after a storm and out of standing water. Standing water also means a mosquito boom in the weeks that follow, so make sure heartworm prevention never lapses. Watch for displaced wildlife, and check your yard for debris before letting pets out.

We are your neighbors, and we are here

Prairieville Animal Hospital has weathered many storm seasons alongside our clients since 1998. Our veterinarians live in this community, and we prepare our own pets the same way. If you have questions about microchips, vaccine records, medication refills, or anything else on this list, we are glad to help you get storm ready.

Call us at (225) 677-5005 or contact us before the next storm starts spinning. The best time to prepare is on a sunny day.