Where Can I Shelter During a Hurricane and What About My Pets?

During a hurricane in Florida, you can shelter in a public evacuation shelter, a hotel inland, or with friends or family in a safer zone but not all options allow pets, and some fill up fast.

If you’re reading this right before a storm, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of Florida residents scramble at the last minute to figure out where to go, what to bring, and what to do with their pets. And while counties do publish shelter lists, they’re not always easy to find, especially when nerves are high and time is short.

In the guide below, we’ll walk you through:

• How to find open shelters in your county
• Which ones are pet-friendly or special needs
• When it makes sense to book a hotel away from the storm or drive inland
• And what you need to bring if you’re going anywhere with an animal

Because keeping your family safe includes your pets and you don’t want to be figuring that out when the wind is already picking up.

What Are My Options for Hurricane Shelter and How Do I Choose?

You have three main shelter options during a Florida hurricane:

1. Public evacuation shelters run by the county
2. Hotels or motels, ideally inland and outside the evacuation zone
3. Friends or family in a safer location

Which one you choose depends on how much time you have, your health, your pets, and whether you’re able to leave the area safely.

Option 1: County-Run Public Shelters

• Free and open to the public, but space is first-come, first-served
• Some accept pets, but only in designated areas (see next section)
• Bring your own supplies: bedding, food, water, meds, chargers, ID
• Expect limited privacy, no frills, and tightly packed space
• Special needs shelters are available but require pre-registration in most counties

Good if: You have nowhere else to go, live nearby, or need assistance evacuating

Not ideal if: You have multiple pets, need privacy, or have mobility challenges

Option 2: Hotels, Motels, or Vacation Rentals

• Offers comfort, privacy, and power backup in many cases
• Many national hotel chains waive pet fees during declared emergencies
• May require advance booking – fills up quickly once evacuation orders are issued
• Be sure the location is outside your evacuation zone

Good if: You want a more comfortable stay and can plan ahead

Not ideal if: Roads are already jammed or you can’t find a pet-friendly room

Option 3: Stay With Friends or Family

• Often the most comfortable and emotionally supportive option
• Can be ideal for pet owners, especially if the host is in a safe zone
• Make sure their home is built to withstand the storm, and not in a higher evacuation zone than yours

Good if: You can coordinate early and everyone agrees on the plan

Not ideal if: You’re unsure about the host home’s safety or accessibility

Bottom line: Choose the safest, most comfortable option you can act on quickly. If you wait too long, even the best plan might fall apart due to traffic, flooding, or full shelters.

Are There Pet-Friendly Hurricane Shelters in Florida and What Do I Need to Bring?

Yes, most Florida counties operate at least one pet-friendly public shelter, but space is limited, and you’ll need to bring specific items to be allowed entry with your animal.

These shelters are usually located at schools or community centers that have been adapted to safely house pets and people in separate, designated areas. They’re coordinated through county emergency management and follow strict intake rules for health and safety.

What You Must Bring for Your Pet

• Proof of vaccination (rabies certificate, vet records, etc.)
• A crate or carrier labeled with your name and your pet’s name
• Leash, muzzle (if applicable), and ID tags
• Food, water, bowls, and medication for at least 3 days
• Waste bags, litter and box (for cats), or pee pads
• A recent photo of your pet (in case you’re separated)

Note: You usually won’t be sleeping in the same space as your pet. Animals are housed separately but nearby, and you’re responsible for their care while in the shelter.

How to Find a Pet-Friendly Shelter in Your County

• Visit your county emergency management website before storm season
• Use FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare/PetPlan
• Call your local shelter hotline or 3-1-1 during an active emergency

Don’t assume every shelter takes pets because they don’t. And pet-friendly ones may fill quickly, so have a backup plan ready.

If public sheltering with pets feels too uncertain, your next best option is a pet-friendly hotel (many waive restrictions during emergencies) or leaving the area entirely to stay with someone who can accommodate animals.

Should I Stay Local, Drive Inland, or Book a Hotel and What Are the Pros and Cons?

If you’re evacuating, your three main choices are to shelter locally, drive inland, or book a hotel. Each has trade-offs depending on the storm’s path, how much warning time you have, your health, and whether you’re traveling with pets.

Here’s how to think it through:

Option 1: Stay Local (Public Shelter or Nearby Friend in Safe Area)

Pros:

• Shorter drive, less traffic
• Easier to return home after the storm
• Free or low cost
• County knows your location in an emergency

Cons:

• You’re still close to the impact zone
• Shelter conditions may be crowded, loud, or stressful
• Pet sheltering is limited and separate
• Supplies are bare-minimum – bring your own food, bedding, chargers, meds

Best for: Families with limited transportation, people in Evacuation Zone A/B who can’t go far, or those with nowhere else to go.

Option 2: Drive Inland

Pros:

• Greater distance from storm surge and wind damage
• Safer for prolonged storms or unpredictable tracks
• Can shelter with friends/family or in low-cost motels

Cons:

• Roads may be gridlocked or flood unexpectedly
• Travel may be dangerous if you leave too late
• Hotel rooms and gas may be scarce once evacuation orders hit
• Returning could take days depending on damage and roadblocks

Best for: Families who can leave early, have pets, or want to avoid crowded shelters altogether

Option 3: Book a Hotel or Vacation Rental

Pros:

• Most comfortable option: private space, bathrooms, internet
• Many waive pet fees during official evacuations
• More likely to have backup power or storm-rated construction
• Ideal for elderly, disabled, or high-anxiety evacuees

Cons:

• Requires booking early – rooms fill within hours of an order
• Cost can be high, especially with pets or large families
• May be farther away than planned if local hotels are in evacuation zones
• Not all properties are storm-safe or elevation-proof

Best for: Those who plan ahead, want comfort and control, or are evacuating with pets and need predictability

No matter what you choose, make sure your route is safe, your shelter is outside the evacuation zone, and your pets are part of the plan – not an afterthought. Even the best shelter isn’t helpful if you can’t get to it in time or aren’t allowed in with your animals.

What If I Wait Too Long and Shelters Are Full or Roads Are Blocked?

If you wait too long, you may not be able to evacuate safely, and some shelters may already be full or closed. That’s when sheltering in place becomes the only viable option, and you need to switch immediately from evacuation mode to protection mode.

If Roads Are Flooded or Gridlocked:

• Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. Six inches can stall your car. One foot can carry it away.
• Turn around and seek higher ground locally – a friend’s house, a sturdy public building, even a parking structure
• Notify family or friends where you are
• Call 911 only if you’re in immediate danger, not just for updates

If All Nearby Shelters Are Full:

• Check your county emergency management site – they often redirect overflow to nearby counties or alternate schools/churches
• Local radio or 3-1-1 lines can confirm whether other shelters have opened
• In some cases, non-official community shelters (churches, community centers) will accept evacuees late in the storm – but vet safety if possible

If You Have No Choice but to Stay Put:

• Choose an interior room with no windows, preferably on the lowest level not prone to flooding
• Grab your hurricane kit, water, and charged devices
• Keep your pets inside, crated or leashed, and close to you
• Close all interior doors to help the home resist pressure shifts
• Stay tuned to NOAA radio or local alerts

Reminder: Most hurricane deaths occur not during the storm, but because of bad decisions made right before or right after. If evacuation isn’t possible, shift immediately to safety and communication mode and don’t wait for “things to calm down.”

What’s the Safest Choice for My Pets During an Evacuation?

The safest option for your pets during a hurricane evacuation is to bring them with you – whether you’re going to a pet-friendly shelter, hotel, or friend’s home. Leaving pets behind is dangerous and, in some cases, fatal.

Even indoor animals are at risk if a window breaks, floodwaters rise, or power fails and temperatures spike. And many emergency services won’t enter dangerous zones to rescue pets once evacuation orders are in effect.

Option 1: Bring Pets with You

Best for: Most families – if you plan ahead

• Choose a pet-friendly hotel (many waive fees during hurricanes)
• Go to a designated pet-friendly public shelter
• Travel with a crate, food, water, records, and meds
• Make sure your pets are microchipped or have ID tags

Tip: Even if you’re not evacuating yet, start packing your pet’s go-bag early. Don’t assume you’ll remember everything in the moment.

Option 2: Leaving Pets at Home (Not Recommended)

High-risk and not advised – but if absolutely unavoidable:

• Leave them indoors, never outside
• Place them in a safe room with ample food and water for several days
• Leave toileting pads or litter in an accessible space
• Tape contact info and pet details to the door in case rescuers arrive later

Many pets that survive the storm are lost, traumatized, or injured and shelters fill quickly after disasters.

Option 3: Leave Pets with Someone Outside the Risk Zone

Best if you evacuate early and can’t take pets where you’re going

• Coordinate with a friend, family member, or boarding facility inland
• Make sure they’re able to keep the pet long-term in case you can’t return quickly
• Pack a full supply kit, vet records, and written care instructions

Bottom line: Pets are part of the family. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them. Whatever plan you make for yourself should include them – from transportation to sheltering to supplies.

Ready to Make a Plan That Protects Everyone – Including Your Pets?

Whether you plan to shelter locally, evacuate inland, or stay with friends, the key to keeping your family, and your pets, safe during hurricane season is to prepare before the storm is on the radar.

At Storm Smart, we help Florida homeowners protect what matters most, with products engineered for wind, water, and debris protection, the very things that can make your home unsafe during a storm, or unlivable after one.

Our experts can walk you through real solutions like:

• Impact-resistant windows and doors for both wind and break-in safety
• Storm Catcher® Screens to protect from hurricane-forced winds and flying debris
• Aluminum shutters and panels for fast, secure coverage when it’s time to go

What’s Next?

Scroll down to find the Storm Smart showroom closest to you.

Stop by to see the products in person, speak with a Florida-based product specialist, and ask questions specific to your evacuation zone and household needs.

Or just give us a call at (888) 546-5708 – whether you’re just starting to prepare, or looking to upgrade your home’s storm protection this season.

Waiting until a storm is named risks crowded shelters, full hotels, and no time to protect your home or your pets. The countdown helps you stay ahead, so your plan works, your family is safe, and your pets aren’t left behind.