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Home ReleasesMiami-Dade County Animal Services and the ASPCA share hurricane safety tips for Florida residents during National Preparedness Month

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Gabriella Dominguez
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305-418-7194

Miami-Dade County Animal Services and the ASPCA share hurricane safety tips for Florida residents during National Preparedness Month

Press Release department

/global/animals/home.page 2026-09-02 2026-09-02T14:30:00.000Z 10 30 am Gabriella Dominguez [email protected] 305-418-7194 Miami-Dade County Animal Services and the ASPCA share hurricane safety tips for Florida residents during National Preparedness Month Knowing how to keep your family safe – including your pets – can make the difference between life and death during hurricanes In recognition of National Preparedness Month (September), Miami-Dade Animal Services and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) are sharing hurricane awareness tips and safety precautions to help keep Florida residents – including their pets – safe. In recognition of National Preparedness Month (September), Miami-Dade Animal Services and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) are sharing hurricane awareness tips and safety precautions to help keep Florida residents – including their pets – safe. September is Peak Hurricane Season for Florida Although the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting below-average storms this hurricane season, ensuring families have a preparedness plan in place – especially one that includes their companion animals – is imperative. “Here in Miami-Dade, we know that hurricane preparedness must include every member of the family, including our pets,” said Annette Jose, Director of Miami-Dade County Animal Services. “The best time to prepare is before a storm is on the way. We encourage pet owners to have an emergency plan, supplies and identification ready for their animals, and to know where they can safely go if they need to evacuate. Taking these steps in advance can help reduce stress and, most importantly, keep pets and their families safe when severe weather strikes.” “In areas at high risk for hurricanes, preparedness is essential for both people and pets,” said Susan Anderson, senior director of disaster response for the ASPCA. “When a hurricane threatens, families need a plan that includes emergency supplies, evacuation routes, and the needs of companion animals so they can act quickly and stay safe. We encourage pet owners to review and update their hurricane preparedness plans now to help protect every member of the family, including the pets who depend on them.” Lifesaving Hurricane Preparedness Tips A <a href="https://aspca.app.box.com/s/7xgiexmbz5wbj3wfyw5vti32wrp7scmi">past ASPCA survey</a> revealed that while a significant percentage of pet owners live in areas prone to disasters, more than half do not have an emergency preparedness plan in place. Lifesaving hurricane preparedness tips include: <ul> <li>Get to high ground: In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your animals can take shelter. </li> <li>Don’t leave pets behind: If you do evacuate, never leave your pet behind or tether them to poles or trees, which prevents them from escaping high waters and getting to safe areas.</li> <li>Prepare emergency supplies: Create a portable pet emergency kit in case you need to shelter in place or evacuate. This kit should include essential items such as a pet carrier, medical records, water, food and water bowls, pet food, cat litter/pan, and any necessary pet medications to last at least ten days.</li> <li>Arrange a safe haven: Identify pet-friendly lodging options as part of your emergency planning process. If you cannot bring your pets with you into a shelter, arrange for them to stay at a boarding kennel or the homes of friends/family members.</li> <li>Practice advanced crating: Prepare your pet’s crate in advance and even consider crating them early. Not only will this ensure you’re ready to go when you do decide to evacuate, but this practice will also enhance your pet’s safety and help reduce stress.</li> <li>Confirm vaccination status: Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current, and all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.</li> <li>Update identification: Ensure all pets wear identification tags with current contact information. Verify microchip registration information to maintain accurate contact details.</li> </ul> More ASPCA hurricane preparedness tips and information can be found <a href="https://www.aspca.org/news/what-you-need-keep-your-pets-safe-during-hurricane">here</a>. More information about the ASPCA’s disaster response work can be found <a href="https://www.aspca.org/investigations-rescue/aspca-disaster-relief-efforts">here</a>. For more information about Miami-Dade County Animal Services visit www.miamidade.gov/animals. ###  About Miami-Dade County Animal Services Every year, Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) provides care and refuge to almost 15,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats and affords vaccination and sterilization services to almost 20,000 free-roaming community cats. Every lost and abandoned dog and cat. Every day, Animal Services staff work diligently to find lifelong homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating on-site adoptions, hosting off-site adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and collaborating with rescue organizations, volunteers, and adoption partners. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/animals and/or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @adoptmiamipets.   About the ASPCA® The <a href="https://www.aspca.org/">ASPCA®</a> (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For more than 160 years, we’ve been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation’s first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.aspca.org/">aspca.org</a>, and follow the ASPCA on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aspca">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://x.com/aspca">X</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/aspca">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspca/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aspca">TikTok</a>. no 2026 00 a.m. 00 a.m. Animal Services 1 rel1788356925361564 Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center 3599 NW 79 Avenue Doral 33122 Jacob Achinah [email protected] 305-418-7151 local county miami-dade department department Animal ServicesASD Contact Us /global/animals/contact.page About Us /global/animals/about.page /global/publicrecords/search.page Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department Protecting the public's safety, saving animals and finding pets new, loving homes. Our mission is to save the lives of abandoned animals in our care, protect animals from cruelty, reunite lost pets with their owners, protect people and pets in our community from health-related issues and ensure the public's safety. Our goals are accomplished through comprehensive adoptions, transfers, low-cost pet vaccination, dog licensing, increased sterilization for dogs and cats, commercial pet regulations, reuniting lost pets with their owners and trap, neuter, return programs for cats. Aside from our lifesaving mission, we also enforce <a href="https://library.municode.com/fl/miami_-_dade_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH5ANFO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chapter 5</a> of the Miami-Dade County Code and Florida Statute 828 (which deals primarily with animal cruelty issues). Our activities include licensing, enforcing rabies vaccination requirements, spay and neuter services, vaccination services for pets, protecting the public from stray and dangerous dogs, promoting animal adoption and public education, and investigating animal cruelty cases. Lifesaving Mission In 2015, Miami-Dade County Animal Services first achieved its lifesaving goal of saving greater than 90 percent of animals entering the shelter. This is a testament to the incredible hard work of the shelter team every day and the addition of new lifesaving programs to include partnerships with rescue organizations, improved pet welfare, foster programs, offsite adoption events, surrender prevention and more. Animal Statistics The Miami-Dade Animal Services Department encourages the public to <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/animals/annual-animal-statistics.page">view our annual animal statistics</a> information, which shows shelter population based on the <a href="https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asilomar Accords</a> and other methods for calculating the number of animal lives that are saved. In August 2004, a group of animal welfare industry leaders from around the nation convened at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California to build bridges across varying philosophies, develop relationships and establish goals focused on reducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals in the United States. The Asilomar Accords established record-keeping and reporting standards for data associated with shelter animals. To help increase life-saving opportunities, Miami-Dade Animal Services has created a variety of new programs aimed at achieving the highest save rates in the history of the department. <ul> <li><a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/animals/annual-animal-statistics.page">View annual animal statistics</a></li> </ul> /resources/images/banners/animal-services.jpg Director Annette Jose Annette Jose /global/government/biographies/animals.page Pet Adoption and Protection Center - 3599 NW 79 Avenue [loc146470117318693] : Doral ^ 33122 loc146470117318693 311 /global/animals/home.page facebook twitter instagram <a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://twitter.com/PetsToLove" data-widget-id="730459858286350336" data-chrome="noheader noborders">Tweets by @PetsToLove</a> <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script> To request materials in an accessible format, or if you require special accomodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator: Jacob Achinah [email protected] 305-418-7151 animal-services org1450714342984597 loc146470117318693 Pet Adoption and Protection Center 3599 NW 79 Avenue Doral 33122 311 /global/animals/home.page facebook,twitter,instagram https://www.facebook.com/AdoptMiamiPets,https://twitter.com/AdoptMiamiPets,https://www.instagram.com/adoptmiamipets/

Knowing how to keep your family safe – including your pets – can make the difference between life and death during hurricanes

MIAMI-DADE ( September 02, 2026 )–

In recognition of National Preparedness Month (September), Miami-Dade Animal Services and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) are sharing hurricane awareness tips and safety precautions to help keep Florida residents – including their pets – safe.

September is Peak Hurricane Season for Florida

Although the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting below-average storms this hurricane season, ensuring families have a preparedness plan in place – especially one that includes their companion animals – is imperative.

“Here in Miami-Dade, we know that hurricane preparedness must include every member of the family, including our pets,” said Annette Jose, Director of Miami-Dade County Animal Services. “The best time to prepare is before a storm is on the way. We encourage pet owners to have an emergency plan, supplies and identification ready for their animals, and to know where they can safely go if they need to evacuate. Taking these steps in advance can help reduce stress and, most importantly, keep pets and their families safe when severe weather strikes.”

“In areas at high risk for hurricanes, preparedness is essential for both people and pets,” said Susan Anderson, senior director of disaster response for the ASPCA. “When a hurricane threatens, families need a plan that includes emergency supplies, evacuation routes, and the needs of companion animals so they can act quickly and stay safe. We encourage pet owners to review and update their hurricane preparedness plans now to help protect every member of the family, including the pets who depend on them.”

Lifesaving Hurricane Preparedness Tips

A past ASPCA survey revealed that while a significant percentage of pet owners live in areas prone to disasters, more than half do not have an emergency preparedness plan in place. Lifesaving hurricane preparedness tips include:

Get to high ground: In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your animals can take shelter.
Don’t leave pets behind: If you do evacuate, never leave your pet behind or tether them to poles or trees, which prevents them from escaping high waters and getting to safe areas.
Prepare emergency supplies: Create a portable pet emergency kit in case you need to shelter in place or evacuate. This kit should include essential items such as a pet carrier, medical records, water, food and water bowls, pet food, cat litter/pan, and any necessary pet medications to last at least ten days.
Arrange a safe haven: Identify pet-friendly lodging options as part of your emergency planning process. If you cannot bring your pets with you into a shelter, arrange for them to stay at a boarding kennel or the homes of friends/family members.
Practice advanced crating: Prepare your pet’s crate in advance and even consider crating them early. Not only will this ensure you’re ready to go when you do decide to evacuate, but this practice will also enhance your pet’s safety and help reduce stress.
Confirm vaccination status: Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current, and all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
Update identification: Ensure all pets wear identification tags with current contact information. Verify microchip registration information to maintain accurate contact details.

More ASPCA hurricane preparedness tips and information can be found here.

More information about the ASPCA’s disaster response work can be found here. For more information about Miami-Dade County Animal Services visit www.miamidade.gov/animals.

###

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services
Every year, Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) provides care and refuge to almost 15,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats and affords vaccination and sterilization services to almost 20,000 free-roaming community cats. Every lost and abandoned dog and cat. Every day, Animal Services staff work diligently to find lifelong homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating on-site adoptions, hosting off-site adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and collaborating with rescue organizations, volunteers, and adoption partners. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/animals and/or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @adoptmiamipets. 

About the ASPCA®
The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For more than 160 years, we’ve been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation’s first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.