Hurricane Season Is Here: Evacuate Responsibly — Don’t Leave Pets Behind

The 2025 hurricane name list is out—and for those of us living on the Gulf Coast of Texas, it’s a clear reminder: hurricane season is here.

From June through November, we stay on high alert. We watch the Gulf. We prepare our homes. But what about our pets? Too often, during panicked evacuations, animals are left behind—sometimes unintentionally, sometimes out of desperation. But the truth is simple:

If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pets.

In order to keep families together, it is vital to plan ahead. Here’s how to evacuate responsibly and make sure your pets stay safe during hurricane season.

1. Have a Pet Hurricane Plan in Place

Texas storms can escalate fast. Don’t wait for a warning to get ready.

✅ Pack a “Go Bag” for Each Pet:
Include:

Leash, collar, ID tags
Crate or carrier with your contact info attached
Food and water for 3–5 days
Medications and vet records
Litter box and supplies (for cats)
Favorite toy or blanket for comfort

✅ Know Where You’ll Go:

Research pet-friendly evacuation shelters and hotels along your potential evacuation route.
Contact friends or family outside the impact zone who could take you and your pets in a pinch.

✅ Plan Multiple Routes:
Flooded roads or heavy traffic can change everything. Have backup evacuation plans ready.

2. Never Leave Pets Behind During a Hurricane

Some believe pets can “figure it out” if left in a home or yard. The reality is heartbreaking: Pets left behind during hurricanes face flooding, starvation, injury, and extreme distress.

Many are never found. Many don’t survive. If you’re evacuating—even for a short time—take your pets with you.

3. Microchip and Tag Your Pets

Hurricanes cause chaos. Fences fall. Doors blow open. Scared animals run.

✔️ Make sure your pet is microchipped and the registration is up to date.
✔️ Keep a collar with ID tags on at all times during storm season.
✔️ Include an out-of-town contact on their ID if possible.

This is the best way to be reunited if you’re separated during a storm.

4. Practice Makes Prepared

Don’t wait until you’re stressed to figure it out. Practice getting your pets into carriers or leashed and into the car. Make it part of your family’s emergency drill—because when it’s real, every second counts.

5. Have a Backup Plan

If you’re not home when an evacuation order comes down, talk to trusted neighbors or nearby friends who can access your house and get your pets to safety.

6. Share the Message: Pet Safety Is a Community Effort

Check in with friends, family, and neighbors—do they have a pet plan? Help them make one if they don’t. Together, we can reduce the number of pets lost or abandoned during disasters.

🐾 Be Ready. Be Responsible. Be Their Lifeline.

Your pet can’t pack a bag. They can’t evacuate without you. During hurricane season on the Texas Gulf Coast, your preparation could save their life.

Start your plan today. Review your supplies. Know where you’ll go. And when the storms come, bring them with you. Every time.

📌 Need help creating your hurricane pet plan? Contact the SPCA of Brazoria County at info@spcabc.org. We’re here to help you prepare.

SPCA of Brazoria County