Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.

We urge you to always include your pet in your family’s emergency plans.

It’s important to remember that the Charleston area is at risk for many disasters – from hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes– to forest fires, hazardous materials emergencies, or coastal flooding. Any one of these disasters may force you to evacuate your home and the area, from a few hours to days or weeks. Charleston County will only open one pet-friendly emergency shelter during a hurricane and you must stay with your pet! It is located at 3841 Leeds Ave,, North Charleston 29406.

6 STEPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, with a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes. That’s why it is so important for you to prepare your emergency plan now — and not wait until a storm is looming.

  1. Include your pets and other animals, including your farm animals and livestock, in your emergency plans. CLICK HERE for our free Pet Evacuation Checklist.
  2. Make sure your cat or dog is registered for FREE on Petco Love Lost at Lost.PetcoLove.org.
  3. Build a separate emergency kit for your pets, including water, food and medications.
  4. Make sure and keep digital records and photos to identify your pet or animal after a disaster in case you become separated.
  5. Create a list of places that accepts pets if an emergency happens. These may not be the same as last year due to the coronavirus.
  6. Update you pet’s vaccinations and their microchips information now.  If they are not microchipped, please do this along with ensuring their collars have update I.D. tags.

Other Important Resources

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

Charleston County Emergency Management Division