Don’t Forget Your Pets: Orange County Pushes Early Hurricane Preparedness
As hurricane season approaches, Orange County officials are reminding residents to include pets in their emergency preparations. Planning ahead can help families keep their animals protected, comfortable and by their side during severe weather.
Rick Hunyadi, Program Coordinator for Training and Special Projects, emphasizes that pets should always be part of evacuation plans.
"Assume your pets are part of your family," he said. "We want you to evacuate and go somewhere secure, but we also want you to take your pets with you."
Orange County operates multiple pet-friendly shelters during emergencies, providing options for residents who may need to leave their homes. The County may open up to six general population shelters that accommodate pets, along with additional pet-friendly shelters that support residents participating in the People with Special Needs (PSN) program.
Families evacuating with pets should prepare an emergency kit ahead of time. Recommended items include pet food, medications, veterinary records, blankets, toys, and appropriate crates, carriers or leashes. Familiar items can help reduce anxiety for animals during stressful situations.
Hunyadi also encourages pet owners to make sure their animals are comfortable being transported in crates or carriers before a storm threatens the area. Crate training can make evacuations easier and helps pets adjust more quickly in shelter environments.
Residents are also encouraged to monitor Orange County’s website and official social media channels for updates on shelter availability and emergency information as storms approach.
"Don't wait - plan," asserted Hunyadi. "Always have a plan in place. It can be adjusted, but having one earlier helps families make quicker decisions if conditions change."
Preparing early helps prevent pets from being left behind and allows families to evacuate with confidence. Orange County's pet-friendly shelters are staffed with Servicios para Animales personnel who support both residents and their animals throughout the storm.
“We have plenty of space at our pet-friendly shelters,” said Hunyadi, “and we want families and their pets to remain together.”
For more information on hurricane preparedness and pet-friendly shelter options, visit Guía de Seguridad en caso de Huracanes.