Pet Protection on Typhoon Days — What to Prepare Before and After Going Out 202

On a typhoon night, our editor Mo's Border Collie cowering at the bathroom door trembling for four hours was the moment we realized we hadn't prepared anything. This year, we've put together a complete guide covering the 72 hours before a typhoon makes landfall through the aftermath. Follow these steps and you won't have to scramble at the last minute.

Why You Must Prepare Your Pets Before a Typhoon

Taiwan enters typhoon season from June to October each year, with an average of 3 to 5 typhoons affecting the island. For humans, a typhoon means a day off and stockpiled instant noodles. For pets, however, it means deafening noise, sudden pressure changes, forced relocation, and the risk of getting lost.

Here are the common risks pets face during a typhoon:

• Extreme fright: Thunder, wind shear sounds, and crashing objects can cause pets to panic and crash into things
• Getting lost: Terrified pets may break free from leashes, jump out windows, or smash through doors
• Injuries: Cut by falling signs, glass, or branches
• Dehydration: Water towers empty and bottled water runs out after power and water outages
• Difficulty accessing veterinary care: Animal hospitals close and roads are cut off

Preparation determines whether you can cope afterward — this saying rings especially true on typhoon days.

What to Do 72 Hours Before a Typhoon

Back Up Identification Documents

• Confirm your pet's microchip is registered and the information is current
• Take clear, recent photos of your pet (front view, side view, full body) and save them to the cloud
• Prepare both paper and digital "pet profiles": breed, age, weight, chronic conditions, medications, and allergy history
• Check whether the contact information on your pet's collar tag is still legible

Stock Up on Water, Food, and Medication

• Water: Prepare 50% more than usual, as it may also be needed to flush wounds during water outages
• Dry food: At least a 7-day supply, sealed for freshness
• Wet food: Choose varieties with a long shelf life
• Medication for chronic conditions: Ask your vet if you can get several extra days' worth

Emergency Contact List

Don't just jot down phone numbers — store the list in multiple places (phone, printed copy on the fridge, sent to family members):

• Your regular veterinary clinic
• 24-hour emergency animal hospitals (look up at least the 3 nearest ones)
• Your local county/city Animal Protection Office
• 119 (emergency rescue), 1999 (citizen hotline)
• Nearby friends or relatives who can help

24 Hours Before the Typhoon: Final Checks

Emergency Go-Bag Contents (pack in one bag, under 5 kg)

• 2 days' worth of food, water, and bowls
• Leash, collar, carrier backpack, or travel crate
• First-aid kit (gauze, povidone-iodine, saline solution, wound spray, Elizabethan collar)
• A familiar blanket or toy (familiar scents can reduce anxiety)
• Printed medical records and a copy of the microchip certificate
• Absorbent towels, pet wet wipes, and trash bags

Environmental Check

• Whether items on the balcony could be blown off
• Whether screen windows and screen doors are secure
• Whether outdoor pets have been brought inside
• Whether outdoor cat houses or dog kennels have been removed

Many pets have never been in a carrier their entire lives — forcing them in on typhoon night will end in disaster. We recommend using the carrier as a regular bed in everyday life, placing your pet's blanket inside so they'll walk in on their own to rest.

During the Typhoon: Stay Indoors

Leave a light on. Wind shear sounds combined with total darkness amplify a pet's fear. A dim nightlight or the sound of a TV show can help keep them calm.

Use white noise or music to mask the wind. Streaming platforms offer plenty of 8- to 10-hour "calm music for dogs" playlists. Download them to your phone ahead of time so you can still play them if the internet goes down.

Redirect their attention. Chew toys, scent games, treat puzzles — giving your pet something to do works better than anything else.

Don't open the front door to let your pet out to relieve themselves. Even if the wind and rain briefly let up, a sudden gust could blow your pet away, or the door could swing back and injure them. Preparing pee pads or an indoor litter box ahead of time is a much safer option.

After the Typhoon: Outdoor Safety Checks

A typhoon passing doesn't mean the danger is over. Here are some must-check items before heading outside:

• Owner first, pet second: Check the ground for broken glass, nails, and downed power lines before your pet steps outside
• Avoid standing water: Floodwater may contain chemicals, bacteria, or parasites. Wash your pet's paws immediately after walking through it
• Monitor your pet's behavior: A frightened pet may not show signs of distress for 24 to 72 hours. Loss of appetite, trembling, and hiding are all warning signs
• Check for injuries: Paw pads, the nose, and the inner ears are the most vulnerable areas
• Don't let your pet run free: A startled animal's behavior is unpredictable

Common Mistakes Checklist

Here are the mistakes people make every typhoon season:

• Stocking supplies only for humans and forgetting pet water
• Leaving pets on the balcony, in the yard, or in the car
• Never training your pet to enter a carrier, then forcing them in on typhoon night
• Failing to prepare printed medical records, leaving you unable to prove your pet's medical history during evacuation
• Letting your pet run free the moment the typhoon passes
• Not looking up the nearest 24-hour animal hospital in advance

Editor Mo's Reminders

Q: What if my pet is afraid of thunder?

Short-term solutions include a wrap-style anxiety vest, pheromone sprays, and anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a vet. For the long term, desensitization training is recommended: play thunder recordings during off-peak hours, starting at low volume and pairing them with treats to help your pet build a positive association.

Q: Can my pet come with me to an evacuation shelter?

Rules vary by county and city. Some areas in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taichung have "pet-friendly evacuation spaces," but you usually need to register with the local district office in advance. Call 1999 before typhoon season to ask about the rules in your area.

Q: Should I evacuate early?

If you live in a low-lying area, near the coast, in an old tin-roofed structure, or keep a dog by the sea, proactively evacuating to a friend's home or motel before the storm arrives is much safer than waiting for an emergency.

Q: How do I care for my pet during a water outage?

Never let your pet drink groundwater, rainwater, or standing water during an outage — they may contain heavy metals or pathogens. Toilet tank water and pool water are also unsafe. When storing water, allocate an extra 30% for your pet.

Q: What should I do if I find a stray animal in distress?

Call 119 or your local Animal Protection Office hotline. Volunteer rescue teams typically cannot deploy during storms, so please put your own safety first.

Preparing this checklist doesn't guarantee your pet won't be startled during a typhoon, but it does guarantee you won't be standing in the living room realizing you have nothing ready. Start three days early — upload photos to the cloud, bring out the carrier, and fill up the water. These small actions are what truly make the difference.

Regulations from local Animal Protection Offices and shelters may change. We recommend rechecking your county/city's latest announcements and the nearest 24-hour animal hospital list before each typhoon season.