Are You and Your Pets Disaster Ready?
With Hurricane Ian fresh in our minds and the effects of its devastation lingering, the importance of evacuating your 'Ohana in advance of a natural disaster can not be overstated. Thanks to the excellent advice provided by the Hawaiian Humane Society you can prepare your pets for the unthinkable and avoid the potential loss of life that a natural disaster can cause by being Disaster Ready.
Disaster readiness offers you and your pet peace of mind. It is estimated that half of the human deaths during Hurricane Katrina were due to those who refused to leave their pets behind.
• Agree on a meeting location for your family and include your pet in that plan.
• Plan to bring your pet indoors well ahead of a natural disaster. Never leave a pet outside.
• Identify a safe indoor area that’s protected from breaking glass, wind and noise. If your pet becomes easily frightened, consider a crate or carrier.
• If your home is not safe for you, it is not safe for your pet. Oahu is vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding, tsunamis and earthquakes.
• Tune in to radio and television reports for your nearest shelter and instructions from local emergency officials.
• Know where your nearest pet-friendly shelter is. As a back-up plan, arrange a safe haven with friends or family and designate a pet caregiver.
What you need to bring with you to an emergency shelter
Pet owners evacuating to an emergency shelter should bring a crate or carrier that’s large enough to accommodate the pet comfortably. Be sure you have a pre-packed emergency pet kit ready to go at a moment’s notice. As shelters do not stock pet supplies, your pre-packed emergency pet kit should include:
- 14-day supply of food and water in sealed containers
- Crate or carrier for each pet in which they can stand up and turn around
- Leash and collar with owner contact number on collar or ID tag. Be sure that your pet’s microchip is updated with your current contact information before the weather report spells trouble!
- Bedding, towels and toys
- Treats
- Food and water bowls; can opener (if needed)
- Medications
- Grooming supplies
- Cleaning supplies for crates and litter boxes
- Cat litter in sealed containers with litter pan
- Vaccine records, microchip number and other paperwork
- Veterinary information
- Photographs of your pet
- Pet first aid kit
You can download our disaster preparedness brochure for more information.
Dogs or cats can be microchipped at your private veterinarian or by appointment at the Hawaiian Humane Society.
In the event of a disaster, listen to radio and television broadcasts to find out if your nearest shelter will be open. All emergency shelters on Oʻahu are pet-friendly. However, based on the nature of the storm or other circumstances, some shelter locations may be closed and other facilities may be utilized last-minute.
Be sure to take your pets with you to emergency shelters. Do not leave them behind during emergencies. Remember, if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pet.
Visit HawaiianHumane.org to find a shelter near you. Shelters will open as needed depending on the disaster.
Oahu Emergency Shelters
North Shore (Kaena Point-Kahuku)
- Waialua High and Intermediate
Leeward Coast (Makua-Waipahu and Vicinity)
- Campbell High
- Ilima Intermediate
- Nanakuli High and Intermediate Waipahu Elementary
- Waipahu High
Central Oahu (Wahiawa-Mililani and Vicinity)
- Leilehua High Mililani High Mililani Middle
- Pearl City-Aiea and Salt Lake
- Aiea High
- Highlands Intermediate Moanalua Middle Moanalua High
- Pearl City High
- Radford High
Salt Lake-Punchbowl and Downtown
- Roosevelt High Stevenson Middle
Punchbowl-Waialae and Vicinity
- Jarrett Middle
- Kaimuki High
- Kaimuki Middle
- Washington Middle
Aina Haina-Hawaii Kai and Vicinity
- Kaiser High Kalani High
Windward Coast (Kahuku-Waimanalo)
- Castle High
- Kailua High
- Kalaheo High
- King Intermediate
- Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate
Closest Emergency Shelters to Waikiki
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