Get Organized — In a Flash! Pet safety before, during & after a hurricane

It blows my mind how many pets go missing after a hurricane, especially when, in most cases, this sad phenomenon could have been avoided with a little advance planning and some common sense.

The following checklist pertains to dogs, cats, gerbils, ferrets and birds, among others, but not to livestock or exotic pets:

1. Vaccinations and licenses: Make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date and print out a copy of all records. (Take a photo with your smartphone.)

2. Food and meds: Keep two weeks’ worth of food and medications, including flea/tick, heartworm and anti-anxiety pills, in a watertight container.

3. Crate: Before, during and after the storm, secure your pets in a crate with their favorite toys, blankets and “chewies.” If you need to evacuate and go to a shelter, you will need one collapsible/portable crate per pet.

4. Leash, harness and current ID tags: Pets, just like people, may get disorientated during a storm; therefore it’s imperative that the only time you let them out of their crate is to walk them. Be sure all pets (cats, too) are on a leash and harness at all times.

5. Microchip: If you love your pets, prove it by having them microchipped.

Lastly, in case of an emergency, it’s not a bad idea to purchase a box of puppy pee-pee pads …  just in case.

Download our complete hurricane checklist at naplesnews.com/hurricanechecklist.

Naples’ Premier Professional Organizer Marla Ottenstein offers expert residential and corporate professional organizing services. www.ProfessionalOrganizerFlorida.com. Her column, Get Organized – In a Flash! runs the third Saturday of each month.