As Hurricane Milton impacts Florida, many pet owners are taking an unusual but essential step to protect their furry family members: they’re writing their contact information on their pets with a permanent marker.

This precaution is being recommended by emergency officials and animal advocacy groups alike, as it could be the difference between reuniting with a beloved pet or losing them in the chaos of a storm.

 

When Identification Matters Most

When a hurricane hits, people and animals alike face the risk of getting separated. Shelters often cannot accommodate pets, meaning families may need to evacuate without them or leave them in separate facilities. Collars, unfortunately, can fall off during a storm, and microchips, though vital, require access to scanners and databases that might be temporarily offline.

Writing a pet’s name and a contact number directly on their body can provide immediate identification for rescuers, as noted in a recent Facebook post urging those in Hurricane Helene’s path to mark their pets this way.

Florida's Taylor County Sheriff’s Office issued similar guidance as Hurricane Helene barreled toward them in September 2024, advising residents to write their information on their pets in case they were separated during evacuation. In their social media post, the sheriff’s office emphasized that legible, on-body identification could significantly aid in reuniting pets with their families during rescue operations. This direct labeling approach has become a critical step in emergency preparedness for pet owners across hurricane-prone areas, reports The Hill.

Keeping Pets Safe During a Storm

Beyond marking pets, preparation is key to ensuring animals’ safety during a hurricane. According to the American Red Cross, a comprehensive pet emergency kit is essential. According to the American Red Cross, this kit should include basic items like food, water, leashes, and a carrier. It’s also recommended to pack recent photos of pets, as they can help confirm ownership if pets are separated from their families and later found by rescue workers.

Some evacuation centers allow pets, but others might not, so pet owners should identify hotels and shelters outside their immediate area that will accommodate pets. In communities where the Red Cross operates, the organization often collaborates with animal rescue groups to support both people and their pets during natural disasters. This collaboration can provide peace of mind for pet owners, allowing them to evacuate without needing to leave pets behind in potentially dangerous conditions.

 

Choosing Not to Evacuate? Mark Your Pet and Yourself

For those who choose not to evacuate, it’s vital to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to also write their personal details, like name and date of birth, on their own bodies. This recommendation came amid fears that rescue crews might need this information if conditions became fatal, KBTX reports.

Additionally, marking pets helps prioritize them for rescuers, who need details on the types and numbers of animals in homes for efficient rescue efforts. Pet owners are encouraged to share this information, alongside their own contact details, with neighbors or friends who may need to assist if the owner is not home when disaster strikes.

 

Creating a Pet Emergency Plan

Planning ahead can make all the difference in an emergency. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs highlights the importance of microchipping pets and keeping digital records and photos to facilitate identification if a pet is found without its owner. Microchipping provides a permanent identification method but should be seen as one part of a broader plan, which should also include a sticker on the home’s front window to alert emergency responders to the presence of pets inside.

In addition, pet owners should create a list of animal-friendly accommodations in case they need to leave home. Identifying friends, relatives, and animal boarding facilities that could help shelter pets during a storm is another smart strategy to ensure animals have a safe place to wait out the hurricane.

 

Keep Yourself and Your Pets Safe

With Hurricane Milton on the way, these precautions are becoming more widespread, and animal welfare advocates are urging pet owners to do whatever it takes to keep their pets safe. Marking pets with contact information, assembling a pet emergency kit, and having a robust evacuation plan in place are all critical steps that can make a huge difference in outcomes during a storm.

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