Hurricane season in South Florida officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and while most residents know to prepare their homes, stock supplies, and review evacuation plans, one important part of preparedness is too often overlooked: our pets.

For many families in Edgewater, Midtown, and across Miami, pets are part of the household. They depend on us during emergencies, especially when a storm is approaching and decisions need to be made quickly. Whether you plan to stay home, evacuate to a family member’s home, or go to a shelter, your pet should be part of that plan from the beginning.

If You Evacuate, Take Your Pets With You

If your building, home, or neighborhood is under an evacuation order, or if you live in an evacuation zone, unsafe structure, or trailer, do not assume your pet will be safe if left behind. Miami-Dade County encourages pet owners in these situations to use pet-friendly evacuation centers when needed. Pre-registration is not required, and evacuation centers are announced as emergencies develop.  

Miami-Dade pet-friendly evacuation centers accept up to four pets per household, and at least one family member must remain at the evacuation center with the pet. Owners must bring supplies for themselves and their animals, maintain control of their pets, and provide current medical and vaccination records. Dogs must have annual rabies vaccinations and a visible Miami-Dade County dog license, and cats are also required to have annual rabies vaccinations.  

Service animals are permitted at all hurricane and disaster shelters, including general population shelters, special needs shelters, and pet-friendly shelters.

If You Stay Home, Stay Together

If you decide to ride out the storm at home, keep your pet with you in a safe interior area. Miami-Dade County recommends keeping pets in a crate or carrier, keeping collars and tags on, and making sure pets are microchipped in case you become separated.  

Pet owners should also prepare a basic pet emergency kit before a storm is close. This should include food, water, bowls, medication, vaccination records, leashes, carriers, litter or waste bags, comfort items, and recent photos of your pet. The City of Miami also recommends practicing evacuation in the car with your animals and getting pets familiar with their carriers before an emergency happens.  

Trooper’s Law: A Reminder That Abandoning Pets During Disasters Is Not Acceptable

Florida has now taken a stronger legal stance on pet abandonment during natural disasters. Trooper’s Law, passed as CS/SB 150 and signed into law as Chapter 2025-101, makes it a crime to restrain a dog outside during a natural disaster and then abandon the dog. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.  

The law was inspired by Trooper, a dog found tied to a pole near Interstate 75 in Tampa as Hurricane Milton approached Florida in 2024. The case became a statewide reminder that pets cannot protect themselves during hurricanes, flooding, evacuations, or other emergencies.  

Under Trooper’s Law, a “natural disaster” includes situations where a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for a municipality or county, or when a municipality or county is under a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order.  

For BNA residents, the message is simple: plan early, take your pets with you, and never leave an animal restrained or abandoned during a storm.

A Simple Pet Hurricane Checklist

Before the next storm, make sure you have:

• Food and water for several days
• Bowls and feeding supplies
• Medication and prescriptions
• Vaccination and medical records
• Collar, ID tag, leash, and harness
• Crate or carrier for each pet
• Waste bags, litter, or cleanup supplies
• Recent photos of your pet
• Microchip information that is current
• Comfort items such as a blanket or toy
• A list of pet-friendly hotels, shelters, or family members who can receive you and your pet

Final Reminder

Hurricane preparedness is about protecting the entire household. Pets should never be an afterthought in an evacuation plan. Before a storm is named, make sure you know where your pet will go, what supplies you need, and how you will keep them safe.

As Miami continues to prepare for hurricane season, BNA encourages all residents, property managers, and building boards to remind their communities: if you leave, they leave with you.