Essentials PetCare urges pet owners to ensure their pet is current on vaccinations, microchipped, wearing proper identification and included in all family emergency plans ahead of Hurricane Dorian

TAMPA – With Hurricane Dorian predicted to become a category 3 hurricane as it continues its path towards Florida, doctors at Essentials PetCare are encouraging pet owners to ensure their pets are included in their emergency plans.

According to experts from Essentials PetCare, pet owners should immediately begin preparing by checking to make sure each pet is current on core vaccinations, that identification tags are up-to-date and that their pet is microchipped.  Additionally, pet owners need to have a copy of their pet’s medical record indicating they are current on vaccinations and including identification of both the pet owner and the pet.

“Having an emergency plan for the entire family is essential, especially when preparing for a hurricane of this magnitude,” said Dr. Douglas Spiker, president and co-founder of Essentials PetCare. “We recommend keeping a close eye on the changing conditions of the storm as it approaches landfall and take every precaution when it comes to ensuring your families safety. This includes your pets.”

Essentials PetCare recommends the following tips for pet owners:

  • Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
  • Make a pet emergency kit, which includes an ample supply of food and water, a first-aid kit, any medications your pet has been prescribed, toys, treats, bedding, and sanitation supplies, like plastic bags and litter box supplies.
  • Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if they panic, they can’t escape.
  • If you are required to evacuate, or choose to do so before a mandatory evacuation order is given, make sure where you are planning to take shelter is pet-friendly. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters do not accept pets. If they do, you will more than likely be required to have a copy of your pet’s medical record including proof of current vaccinations. Make sure you are aware of what you need, before the storm hits.

Essentials PetCare currently operates five clinics, with one in Port Richey, Florida and four in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Some of the benefits of Essentials Petcare are that each clinic location offers pet parents an array of veterinary care services for both cats and dogs on a walk-in basis, without the need to schedule an appointment. Pet care services include minor illness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, lab testing and routine wellness exams.  

Essentials PetCare clinics compliment full-service veterinary hospitals by introducing veterinary care to a large segment of the U.S. pet-owning market, which has traditionally not pursued veterinary services because of cost. The company’s veterinarians routinely educate clients on the benefits of full-service veterinary care and make regular referrals for needs beyond the clinics’ scope of services.

About Essentials PetCare

Established in 2015, Essentials PetCare, LLC is a purpose-driven organization that provides easy access to affordable, high quality preventative and minor illness care for dogs and cats. The company’s mission is to expand veterinary services to more pet-owning families who would otherwise not seek care because of cost. Essentials PetCare believes that no animal should ever suffer or put its family at risk of contracting diseases due to affordability. In addition to caring for pets, the company is focused on the wellbeing of its employees by promoting work-life harmony, including flexible scheduling, comprehensive benefits, and employee stock options. For more information about Essentials PetCare, visit EssentialsPetCare.com, @EssentialsPetCare on Facebook, and @EssentialsPet on Twitter.

Media Relations Contact – James Judge – Judge Public Relations: jpjudge@judgepr.com or 813.279.8335.