BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Hurricane season runs from June until November. While natural disasters cannot be avoided, they are much easier to handle when you are prepared. As a pet owner, it's important to take extra precautions to prepare your pet if a hurricane, big storm, flood or other natural disaster comes our way. Broward County Animal Care offers some important tips to keep your pet safe during South Florida's hurricane season. 

• Make sure your pet is microchipped. If your pet is lost during a storm, your pet can easily be returned to you. If your pet is already microchipped, make sure your contact information is up to date and includes your phone number, address and email. Having multiple ways to contact you will only increase the odds of your pet being returned.
  
  
• Have a pet emergency kit. A pet emergency kit should include a week's worth of food and water, your pet's medications, medical and vaccination records and a copy of your pet insurance policy, if you have one. These documents should be kept in a waterproof container. Also, keep some recent pictures of your pet handy.
  
  
• Know where your pet-friendly shelters are located. It's important to know where to go in case there is an evacuation order. In Broward County, there are three pet-shelters: Lyons Creek Middle School, 4333 Sol Press Blvd in Coconut Creek, Falcon Cove Middle School, 4251 Bonaventure Blvd in Weston and Everglades High School, 17100 SW 48th Ct in Miramar. Please bring a carrier or crate, or one will be provided. 

Storms are not predictable, but your response can be. If your pet runs away during a storm, do not go out and look for them. Stay safe, as flying debris and flood waters could seriously injure you or damage your home. Contact local shelters and post on social media apps to see if anyone has found your lost pet. For additional preparation tips, visit Broward.org/Hurricane.

Broward County Animal Care is located at 2400 SW 42nd Street in Fort Lauderdale. Adopters can visit Broward.org/Animal to preview all available pets. Each adoptable dog and cat pet is spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. A Broward County license tag is also included. Animal Care is open daily from 11AM to 5:30PM for adoptions.