By Jennifer Jasmin, Founder of Furriendly Critter Sitters. U.S. Military Veteran. Fear Free Certified. Pet First Aid & CPR Certified.

There’s a specific kind of panic that hits when you’re watching a tropical storm track shift toward Brevard County and you realize you have no real plan for the animals. Not one that accounts for days without power or an evacuation order that drops at 6 a.m. If you live in Mims, FL, this is real life every year from June through November, and your pets can’t pack a bag.

Quick Answer

Hurricane pet safety in Mims, FL starts with three things: a written evacuation plan covering every animal, a packed pet emergency kit ready to grab, and a pet care provider who already knows your pets and has a storm-season protocol in place. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 on the Space Coast.

Jennifer Jasmin, founder of Furriendly Critter Sitters, has served Mims and the rest of Northern Brevard County since 2022 and has guided clients through enough Brevard County storm seasons to know what works and what falls apart when the wind picks up. Here’s what to have in place before the next storm forms.

Why Hurricane Season Hits Different When You Have Pets

Most generic hurricane prep guides treat pets like an afterthought… one bullet point at the bottom. Mims sits in Northern Brevard County, right along the Indian River, where power can stay out for days after a storm, longer than in more populated areas like Viera or Merritt Island. The time to figure out a plan is now, not when the cone of uncertainty includes your zip code.

This guide zooms in on what’s different for Mims specifically… flood zones along the river, longer outage windows, and rural properties with livestock. For county-wide storm prep basics, our Hurricane Pet Safety Guide for Northern Brevard County covers the fundamentals every Space Coast pet owner should know.

How Do You Evacuate With Pets in Mims, FL?

First rule: if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them. If Brevard County issues an evacuation order for your zone, your pets go with you. Never leave animals behind thinking you’ll come back for them… roads close and bridges shut down.

• Know your evacuation zone. Brevard County Emergency Management maps every zone, and Mims addresses fall in different zones depending on proximity to the river. Look yours up now, not during the storm.
• Identify pet-friendly shelters and backup housing. Not all public shelters accept animals, and spaces fill fast. Have a plan B… a friend inland, a pet-friendly hotel, or a vet boarding facility outside the zone.
• Have carriers and crates ready, labeled with your name and phone number. Practice with cats who’ve never used one. An uncontained animal in a crowded shelter creates problems for everyone.
• Keep documents accessible. Vaccination records, vet contact info, and photos of each pet, in a waterproof bag. Shelters will ask for proof of vaccination.
• Microchip and tag every animal. A tag gets a loose pet home fast, and a microchip gets them home even if the collar comes off. Confirm the registration has your current phone number.

What Goes in a Pet Emergency Kit for Hurricane Season?

Pack a dedicated pet bag now if you don’t already have one, and check it monthly all season. Don’t rely on grabbing supplies from the pantry once the wind is already blowing.

• Food and water. Seven days minimum. Canned food outlasts kibble during power outages. Rotate stock every three months, and pack one gallon of water per pet per day.
• Medications. A two-week supply with dosage instructions written out. If your pet takes insulin or another time-sensitive medication, talk to your vet about a storm-season backup plan.
• Bowls, litter, waste bags, and cleaning supplies. Collapsible bowls save space, and enzyme cleaner handles accidents in a small space with anxious animals.
• Comfort items. A familiar blanket or toy is genuine stress management. Cats especially need a hiding spot, even a covered carrier with a towel over it.
• Pet first aid kit. Gauze, bandages, tweezers, and a muzzle, since even gentle dogs may bite when scared. FEMA’s pet disaster preparedness guide has a thorough checklist worth printing.

Should You Board Your Pets or Stay Home During a Hurricane?

The honest answer depends on your home and the storm’s strength.

Staying home in a storm-rated house: keep pets with you and stock a week of supplies. Horses or livestock in Mims need pre-storm pasture checks and stall prep.

Evacuating: take your pets with you. Don’t board locally and leave the area, since a facility that loses power traps your pet. Boarding only makes sense well outside the storm’s path with verified backup power.

Out of town when a storm hits: an established relationship with a professional pet sitter makes the difference. Talk with your sitter about putting a storm plan in place well before hurricane season, so your animals aren’t stranded with a stranger.

How Furriendly Critter Sitters Handles Hurricane Season for Clients

As a veteran, Jen built contingency planning into Furriendly Critter Sitters from day one:

• Storm plan conversations. Talk with your sitter about emergency contacts, vet info, evacuation preferences, and what to do if conditions deteriorate, well before hurricane season ramps up.
• Communication before, during, and after. Jen’s team reaches out proactively when a storm threatens, so you know the plan before the power goes out.
• Generator and AC awareness. Mims loses power more often and longer than southern Brevard. Sitters monitor temperature during outages, since a house without AC can hit 100-plus degrees inside within hours.
• Post-storm safety checks. Sitters walk the property for downed wires, standing water, and displaced wildlife before pets go back outside.

Furriendly co-founders Jen and Corey Jasmin, both veterans, built this company to serve families in Mims, Titusville, Port St. John, and across Northern Brevard County. Hurricane preparedness is baked into what professional pet sitting in Mims looks like every year.

Post-Storm Pet Safety: What to Watch For After a Hurricane

The storm ends and everybody wants to go outside, pets included, but the hours and days after are still genuinely dangerous for animals.

• Contaminated water. Standing water after a hurricane carries chemicals, sewage, and bacteria. Don’t let pets drink from puddles or flooded areas, and use your stored water supply until officials confirm tap water is safe.
• Displaced wildlife. Snakes, raccoons, and other wildlife get flushed out of their habitats during storms. In Mims, where rural land meets residential, keep dogs leashed for outdoor bathroom breaks until you’ve checked the property.
• Downed power lines and sharp debris. Walk the entire yard before letting pets out. Metal, glass, and broken fence pieces end up in places you’d never expect.
• Behavioral changes. Don’t be surprised if your pet acts different for days or weeks after a major storm. Watch for refusal to eat, excessive hiding, or aggression that wasn’t there before, and talk to your vet if it continues beyond a week.

Take it slow. Check the environment first, and keep routines close to normal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Pet Safety in Mims, FL

Q: What should I put in a pet emergency kit for hurricane season in Florida?

A: Pack at least 7 days of food and water per pet, a 2-week supply of medications, vaccination records in a waterproof bag, collapsible bowls, extra litter or waste bags, a pet first aid kit, comfort items like a familiar blanket, and a carrier or crate labeled with your contact info. Check and rotate supplies every 3 months.

Q: Can I take my pets to an evacuation shelter in Brevard County?

A: Brevard County designates specific pet-friendly evacuation shelters, but space is limited and fills quickly. All pets must be in carriers or crates and have current vaccination records, especially rabies. Check the Brevard County Emergency Management website for designated locations each season and have a backup plan in case shelters reach capacity.

Q: How do I keep my pets safe during a power outage in a Florida hurricane?

A: A house without AC in summer Florida can exceed 100 degrees within hours. Use battery-powered fans, move pets to the coolest room, provide constant fresh water, and monitor for signs of heat stress like heavy panting, drooling, or lethargy. If indoor temps become dangerous, execute your evacuation backup plan.

Q: Should I board my pets or keep them home during a hurricane?

A: If you’re staying home and your home is structurally rated for the storm, keeping pets with you is usually best, since they’re calmer with their human. If you’re evacuating, take your pets with you rather than boarding locally. Only board at a facility well outside the storm’s path that has verified backup power and a clear hurricane protocol.

Q: What should I do with my pets after a hurricane passes?

A: Walk your entire yard before letting pets outside. Check for downed power lines, sharp debris, standing water, and displaced wildlife. Keep dogs leashed for bathroom breaks until the area is confirmed safe, and don’t let pets drink from standing water, which is often contaminated.

Q: Does Furriendly Critter Sitters offer boarding if I need to evacuate?

A: No. Furriendly is exclusively an in-home pet care company and does not operate a boarding facility, daycare, or grooming, even during hurricane season. If you evacuate, your pets go with you. If you’re out of town when a storm hits, talk with your sitter ahead of time about the storm plan for your home, so nothing is left to figure out in the moment.

 

Don’t Wait for the Warning to Make a Plan

Hurricane season in Mims doesn’t wait. Furriendly Critter Sitters, founded by veterans Jennifer and Corey Jasmin, has served Mims and Northern Brevard County since 2022. Every sitter is bonded, insured, and background-checked, and founder Jen is Fear Free Certified. Storm-season planning is part of how the team works with every client.

If you don’t have a hurricane plan for your pets yet, start one today. Contact Furriendly Critter Sitters for a free meet and greet before the next system forms.