At Pawsatively Golden Pet Care, we’re Wilmington’s only Certified Professional Pet Sitters (CPPS®) and certified in disaster preparedness. Your pets are cared for with expert planning—whether you’re home or traveling.
🐾 Be Ready Before the Storm
Download our free Pet Emergency Preparedness Checklist to make sure you have everything packed and ready.
🌧️ Pet Emergency Preparedness: The Forecast for Coastal North Carolina Pets
The National Hurricane Center is tracking developing disturbances. Even if storms miss landfall, hurricane prep for pets in coastal North Carolina should cover:
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Flooding and heavy rain
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Gusty winds and power outages
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High surf and dangerous rip currents
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Possible evacuation orders
Helpful official sources: National Hurricane Center · NWS Wilmington, NC · Ready.gov Alerts
🐾 Local Shelter Rules: New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender & Onslow
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New Hanover County: At least one co-location shelter for dogs/cats; owners stay with pets and bring 5–7 days of supplies.
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Brunswick County: Cats/dogs only; carriers, ID, vaccines, food/water/meds required.
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Pender County: Cape Fear Middle School is designated pet-friendly for cats/dogs (when activated).
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Onslow County: Jacksonville Commons Middle School is often designated for cats/dogs (when activated).
⚠️ Important: Exotic pets aren’t accepted. Families with turtles, birds, or rats should arrange hotels or guardians—exotic pet disaster planning is essential.
🐾 Where to Find Pet-Friendly Shelters During Hurricanes
When planning for Wilmington pet emergency preparedness, one of the most important steps is knowing which local shelters accept pets. Only certain “pet-friendly” or co-location shelters are equipped to house cats and dogs alongside their owners.
Reliable sources for shelter updates:
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County Emergency Management Websites
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Pender and Onslow counties post updates via Emergency Management offices and social media.
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Statewide Shelter Portal
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Animal Services & Humane Societies
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Pet Shelter Directories
⚠️ Most county shelters accept cats and dogs only. Families with exotic pets (birds, reptiles, rodents, etc.) should plan ahead with pet-friendly hotels or pre-arranged guardians.
📦 Build Your Emergency Pet Kit (Wilmington, NC)
Every pet emergency preparedness plan should include an organized kit.
Dogs & Cats
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3–7 days of food/water + bowls
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Leash, collar, harness; muzzle (some shelters require)
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Medications & vaccine records; comfort items
Exotics & Small Mammals
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Travel-safe tank/cage with secure lid & bedding
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Dechlorinated water (for reptiles/aquatics) & portable heater/heat packs
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Species-specific food; care notes
Emergency Binder
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Rabies/vaccine certificates, vet contacts, microchip info
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Recent photos (proof of ownership) & pet-friendly hotel list
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Evacuation routes and county shelter maps
👉 Grab our free Pet Emergency Preparedness Checklist to simplify all of this.
Download the Checklist
✈️ Traveling During a Storm: How We Protect Your Pets
If you’re away, our certified professional pet sitters will:
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Monitor NHC, Brunswick County, and Onslow County updates
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Track which pet-friendly shelters in NC are open and their requirements
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Execute your emergency plan on file—transporting pets, ensuring supplies, and updating you throughout
This ensures pet emergency preparedness covers your pets even when you’re not home.
🐾 What the PETS Act Means for Pet Owners
The PETS Act (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act) became law after Hurricane Katrina. It requires counties to:
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Include pets in disaster plans
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Provide pet-friendly hurricane shelters in NC (typically for dogs/cats)
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Enable FEMA support for rescue and sheltering
⚠️ Owners must still bring vaccine records, carriers, and supplies.
For local families, this means pet emergency preparedness goes hand-in-hand with understanding how the PETS Act applies in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties.
❓ Hurricane & PETS Act — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PETS Act and how does it affect pet owners in Wilmington & Oak Island?
The PETS Act requires local and state emergency plans to include household pets and service animals and enables FEMA support. Practically, pet-friendly shelters are included in response—but owners must bring supplies, vaccination records, ID, and carriers.
Which local shelters accept pets during hurricanes?
New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties each designate at least one pet-friendly shelter for dogs and cats. Owners must remain with pets and provide carriers, proof of vaccines, food, water, medications, and care items. Exact locations are confirmed when activated.
Do public shelters accept exotic pets like turtles, birds, or rats?
Public shelters typically accept dogs and cats only. Exotic/small pets require alternate plans: pet-friendly hotels, boarding partners, or a pre-arranged guardian. We can set this up in your written plan.
What should my pet emergency kit include?
Pack 3–7 days of food and water, medications, vet/vaccine records, leashes or carriers, ID/microchip info, and comfort items. Add species-specific gear—e.g., travel tanks & dechlorinated water for reptiles/aquatics, bedding for small mammals—and keep a printed emergency binder with photos and proof of ownership.
How does Pawsatively Golden protect pets if I’m traveling when a storm hits?
As CPPS® sitters trained in disaster preparedness, we monitor official and county alerts, know which shelters are open and their requirements, and follow your signed emergency plan—transporting pets, ensuring supplies, and updating you throughout.
✅ Ready to Protect Your Pets This Hurricane Season?
When it comes to pet emergency preparedness and hurricane pet safety, don’t wait until storms are on the radar. We build species-specific plans, train in emergency protocols, and are Wilmington’s only CPPS® team certified in disaster preparedness.
👉 Schedule Your Consult
🐾 Grab Your Free Pet Emergency Checklist