If you live in the tropics, cyclones are expected in the wet season. These damaging weather events, with their gale force winds, heavy rainfall and potential flooding, can wreak havoc on our communities. Forward planning is essential for keeping your family and pets safe during cyclones.
Follow these steps to keep your pets safe during — and after— a cyclone.
Table of Contents
- Preparing for a cyclone
- Pet safety during a cyclone
- Pet safety after a cyclone
- Pets and cyclones FAQs
Preparations before the cyclone
Make sure the details on your pet’s ID tag and microchip are up to date
If you get separated from your pet, you’ll want to be reunited as quickly as possible. Having your contact details with your pet is the best way to ensure this.
Attach an ID tag engraved with your phone number to their collar. At Petbarn, we offer free engraving in-store with the purchase of any My Family ID tag.
It’s also recommended that you make sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date. You can usually do this quickly online – check the microchip database your pet’s microchip is registered with for their instructions.
Not sure which animal database your pet’s microchip is registered with? You can find that out by typing their microchip number into petaddress.com.au. If you don’t have their microchip number on hand, your vet will have it in your pet’s file, or your pet can quickly and easily be scanned by vets or your local council.
Does your pet need a microchip? Book them in for one at Greencross Vets.
Compile a pet emergency kit
Just like an emergency or evacuation bag you pack for yourself, a pet emergency kit is a bag of essential items ready to go if you need to evacuate quickly.
Pet emergency kit checklist
- A week’s worth of pet food — Make sure it doesn’t need to be refrigerated (e.g. kibble or canned pet food).
- A week’s worth of bottled water
- A month’s supply of medications your pet needs (if any)
- Bowls – collapsible travel bowls are easy to pack and work well
- Collar/ harness and lead
- Poo bags and/or litter supplies (litter tray, litter, scoop)
- Pet carrier/ travel cage – for smaller pets
- Pet first aid kit
- Important documents in a waterproof container. Consider including:
- Your regular veterinarian’s details
- Vaccine certificates
- Registration details
- Pet insurance details
- Emergency contact details
- Instructions for any medication your pet needs
- A recent photo of your pet(s)
- If possible, save electronic copies of these documents in a cloud-based system like Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Comfort toys and bedding
Speak to your vet about any concerns for your pet
If your pet has a storm phobia or you’re concerned about their medications or health, speak with your vet. They’ll be able to provide you with specific guidance to help your pet get through the weather event safely.
Know your disaster plan in advance
It’s best to have a plan for if you are going to shelter in place or evacuate well before the cyclone makes landfall.
If you plan to evacuate:
- Leave early
- Research evacuation centres that accept pets
- If you can’t find an evacuation centre that accepts pets, consider taking your pets to family or friends who live outside the risk area
If you plan to shelter in place, prepare a room indoors for your pet – ideally an interior room with no windows. Make sure they have a comfortable bed or crate they can rest in and feel safe.
Stay informed
Regularly check for updates from the Bureau of Meteorology, your local news radio, and your local council and state government. They’ll have the most up to date recommendations as the situation unfolds.
Keeping your pets safe and calm during a cyclone
Secure your pet indoors in a safe space
If it’s not safe for you to be outside, it’s definitely not safe for your pet. Make sure your pet is safe indoors well before the cyclone makes landfall.
If it’s impossible to bring your pet indoors for whatever reason, make sure they have a safe shelter outside and do NOT tether them – they need to be able to move and seek shelter freely.
Help your pet stay calm
There are a few ways to help your pet stay calm:
- Feed them some calming treats or supplements (there are options for dogs and cats)
- Provide your dog with long-lasting treats to keep them occupied
- Entertain your pet with interactive toys
- Put them in a Thundershirt
- Provide comforting toys
- Use calming pheromones (there are options for dogs and cats)
- Reassure them with pats and soothing words
Ensure your pet always have access to food and water
Give them free access to their food and water. Make sure their bowls aren’t easily tipped over. Consider having a couple of bowls in different locations, for example some up high, in case of flooding or other unforeseen developments.
Keep your pet emergency kit in an easily accessible place
If you have to evacuate in a hurry, you don’t want to waste time looking for all your pet’s supplies. Have your pet emergency kit packed and ready to go. Keep it with all your other emergency supplies near the front door.
If you have to leave your pet behind in an emergency
With proper planning and preparation, you shouldn’t have to leave your pet behind. However, sometimes unexpected emergencies happen, and you may not be in a position to take your pet with you when you evacuate.
If you have no choice but to leave your pet behind:
- Do not tie them up – they need to be able to flee if needed
- Ideally keep them confined indoors
- Leave a week’s worth of food and water in multiple locations
- Make sure your pet can climb up onto furniture/ higher places if required
- Make sure your pet can be identified – leave a sign on the doors/ windows with your pets’ names and identifying details and your contact details
Keeping your pets safe after a cyclone
Check it’s safe before letting them out
While the cyclone may have passed, it may not be safe for your pet to go outside straight away. Do not let them out until it is safe to do so.
Don’t rush them out and don’t force them out. Keep them restrained – they may still be frightened.
Avoid floodwaters
Floodwater carries a high risk of disease, for both you and your pets.
Check your pet
Check your pet over to make sure they’re okay. If you need medical attention, try to get to your nearest vet or emergency veterinary hospital.
If they are inaccessible but you still have access to videocalls through your phone, you can call WebVet for a telehealth veterinary consult.
Frequently asked questions about pets and cyclones
What happens if I lose my pet during a cyclone?
During the cyclone, stay calm and keep yourself safe. Don’t put yourself in danger searching for your pet.
Once the danger has passed, circulate images of your pets so people can keep an eye out. Contact local shelters, vet clinics, and council pounds so they’re aware you’ve lost your pet. With any luck, your pet will be found quickly and handed in to a clinic or shelter, where they’ll be scanned for a microchip and you will be contacted.
What if I find a lost pet during/ after a cyclone?
Take the pet to your nearest vet clinic, animal shelter, or local council pound once it is safe to do so. They’ll scan the pet for a microchip and do their best to reunite the pet with their owners.
Can dogs and cats sense cyclones?
Dogs and cats have much more sensitive senses than we do. They can sense changes in atmospheric pressure and will hear thunder in the distance before our ears pick it up.
Why do dogs and cats act weird when a storm is coming?
If your pet acts strange when they sense a storm coming, they likely have a storm phobia. When they hear a storm in the distance or sense changes in atmospheric pressure, they’ll exhibit signs of fear and anxiety as they seek a safe space to shelter.
Where do cats hide during storms?
Cats are masters at hiding. During a storm, they’ll seek covered shelter in a semi-enclosed space where they feel safe. Ideally, this will be a safe location indoors.