Getting Your Pets and Car Out During a Hurricane
How to evacuate with pets when you have a car
If you have a car and pets, you can take them with you during a hurricane evacuation. Most people do. The main challenge is planning ahead — knowing where you can go, what your pets need, and what to do if you get stuck on the road. A car gives you more options than public transit, but it also means you are responsible for keeping your animals safe during the drive and at your destination.
South Carolina does not require shelters to accept pets, but many do. Hotels and motels outside the evacuation zone often allow pets if you book ahead and pay a pet fee. Friends and family in safer areas are another option. The worst time to figure this out is when the evacuation order comes down.
Key Takeaways
- Book a pet-friendly hotel or arrange a place to stay with family or friends outside the evacuation zone at least a day before an evacuation order is issued.
- Pack a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, medical records, a carrier or crate, a leash, and recent photos of each animal before hurricane season starts.
- Leave early in the evacuation window — waiting until the last hours means traffic jams, gas shortages, and the risk of being caught on the road during the storm.
- If you cannot find a pet-friendly place to stay, call the South Carolina Animal Disaster Coalition or local animal shelters to learn about emergency boarding or temporary foster options.
- Never leave pets behind, even if you think you will return quickly — hurricanes are unpredictable, and rescue operations may not reach your area for days.
Finding a place to stay that accepts pets
Start looking for accommodations as soon as a hurricane watch is issued for your area, not when an evacuation order comes. Pet-friendly hotels and motels fill up fast. Call ahead and confirm they accept pets, what the fee is, and whether they have availability for the dates you need.
If hotels are full, contact friends or family in other parts of South Carolina or neighboring states. Offer to pay for gas or lodging. Many people are willing to host a neighbor and their pet if asked directly. If you have no personal network outside the evacuation zone, call your local animal shelter or the South Carolina Animal Disaster Coalition — they maintain lists of foster homes and emergency boarding facilities that open during storms.
Some veterinary clinics also board pets during hurricanes. Call your vet early to ask whether they offer this service and whether they have space. Write down the phone numbers and addresses of at least two backup options and keep them in your phone and in a printed list at home.
What to pack for your pets
Assemble a pet emergency kit before hurricane season and keep it in an easy-to-grab bag or container. Include at least two weeks of food and water for each animal — more if you can store it. Use sealed, waterproof containers. Pack any medications your pet takes, along with a written list of dosages and instructions.
Bring your pet's medical records, vaccination certificates, and microchip information in a waterproof folder. Include a recent photo of each animal — if you get separated, you will need it to search for them. Pack a carrier or crate for each pet, a leash, a collar with ID tags, a litter box and litter (if you have a cat), waste bags, and any comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket.
Keep a copy of your pet's microchip number and the microchip company's phone number in your wallet and in your phone. If your pet is not microchipped, consider having it done before hurricane season — it is the most reliable way to reunite lost pets with their owners after a storm.
When and how to leave
Evacuate as soon as an evacuation order is issued for your zone, or even during a voluntary evacuation if you have the means to go. Do not wait. The longer you delay, the worse the traffic becomes, the more likely gas stations will run out of fuel, and the greater the risk you will be caught on the road when the storm arrives.
Load your car the night before if possible. Put your pet emergency kit, important documents, medications, and irreplaceable items in the car first. Then load your pets. Keep them in carriers or crates while driving — loose pets are a distraction and a safety hazard. Bring enough water and food for the drive, plus extra in case you get stuck in traffic.
If you are driving a long distance, plan rest stops where you can let your pet out of the carrier safely. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes — temperatures inside a car rise quickly, and your pet could overheat or be stolen.
What to do if you get stuck on the road
If traffic is severe and you are still on the road as the storm approaches, do not try to outrun it. Find a sturdy building — a hotel, hospital, fire station, or shopping center — and go inside. Bring your pets with you. Most businesses will allow you to shelter in place during a hurricane, especially if you explain you have animals.
If you cannot find a building, stay in your car with the windows closed. Keep your pets in their carriers. Do not try to drive through flooded roads or heavy rain. More people die in hurricanes from driving into water than from the storm itself.
If you run out of gas or your car breaks down, call 911 or the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Tell them you have pets. They will prioritize your rescue. Keep your phone charged and bring a car charger or portable battery pack.
If you do not have a car or cannot drive
If you do not own a car or cannot drive, contact your local emergency management office at least a week before hurricane season to ask about pet-friendly evacuation transportation. Some counties run buses or vans for people with pets. Others work with animal rescue organizations to arrange transport.
If no public evacuation option accepts pets, ask friends or family to drive you, or hire a taxi or rideshare service. Confirm ahead of time that they will allow your pet in the vehicle. If you cannot find any way to evacuate with your pet, contact the South Carolina Animal Disaster Coalition or your local animal shelter — they may be able to arrange temporary foster care or boarding so you can evacuate safely.
After you arrive at your destination
Once you reach your shelter or hotel, keep your pet in the room or designated area. Do not let it roam the building or grounds. Keep your pet's ID tags and microchip information with you at all times. Take a photo of your pet and the location where you are sheltering, in case you need to prove ownership later.
Check on your pet regularly. Stress from the evacuation and unfamiliar surroundings can cause behavior changes or health problems. If your pet stops eating, seems ill, or shows signs of injury, find a veterinary clinic in the area. Keep your vet's contact information and your pet's medical records with you.
Do not return home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after the storm passes, roads may be blocked, power may be out, and the area may not be habitable. Waiting a few extra days is safer than rushing back and finding yourself trapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my pet on an airplane if I need to evacuate out of state?
Yes, but you must book ahead and pay a pet fee — usually $100 to $200 per animal. Airlines require a health certificate from a vet dated within 10 days of travel. If a hurricane is approaching, your vet may be too busy to issue one. Call your airline and vet as soon as you know you might need to fly, and ask about expedited options.
What if my pet has a medical condition and needs refrigerated medication?
Pack a small cooler with ice packs and keep it in your car. Bring twice as much medication as you think you will need. If you lose power at your destination, ask a pharmacy or veterinary clinic if they can store your pet's medication temporarily. Write down your pet's condition and medication on a card you carry with you, in case you need emergency care.
Can I leave my pet at home if I think the hurricane will miss my area?
No. Hurricanes change direction and intensity without warning. If you are in an evacuation zone, assume the storm will hit your area. Leaving a pet behind means risking its life. If the storm does miss you, you will be relieved. If it does not, you will have no way to rescue your animal.
What if I arrive at my destination and my pet is injured or very stressed?
Find a veterinary clinic or emergency animal hospital in the area where you are sheltering. Call ahead and explain your situation — many vets will see evacuated pets on an urgent basis. Bring your pet's medical records and microchip information. If cost is a concern, ask whether the clinic offers payment plans or whether local animal rescue organizations can help cover the bill.
How do I find my pet if we get separated during evacuation?
Contact the local animal shelter, animal control, and veterinary clinics in the area where you were evacuated from. Post on social media and local lost-pet websites with the photo you packed in your emergency kit. Call the microchip company and report your pet lost — they will contact shelters and vets in your area. Check shelters in person if you can, because records may be incomplete during a disaster.