Disaster Response
Hurricane Pet Rescue Response
Built on lessons from Hurricane Katrina. Refined across two decades of Gulf Coast storms. Ready before the next one makes landfall.
Why We Do This
The Katrina Connection
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced families to make impossible choices — evacuate alone, or stay behind with their pets. An estimated 250,000 animals were left behind. Tens of thousands never came home.
That tragedy reshaped emergency policy nationwide and inspired the founding work that became Ruff Rough's disaster response program. Every protocol, every pre-positioned crate, every drone flight in a flooded neighborhood traces back to one promise: no family should ever be forced to choose again.
Our 4-Phase Hurricane Protocol
From the first NOAA advisory to the final reunification, every phase has a pre-defined trigger, team, and checklist.
Phase 1 — Pre-Storm
Activation & Staging
72–96 hours before landfall, teams pre-stage vehicles, drones, crates, and medical supplies inland of projected impact zones. Volunteers are placed on standby.
Phase 2 — Evacuation
Evacuation Assistance
Coordinated transport for families who cannot evacuate with pets, plus shelter placement for surrendered animals at partner facilities outside the storm path.
Phase 3 — Post-Landfall
Search & Recovery
Drone reconnaissance over flooded and inaccessible neighborhoods, ground rescue of stranded animals, and welfare checks at known addresses of evacuated owners.
Phase 4 — Reunification
Reunification & Recovery
Photo cataloging, microchip scanning, social-media reunification campaigns, and temporary fostering until owners return or long-term placement is arranged.
Hurricane Prep for Pet Owners
The single biggest factor in a successful reunion is preparation done before the storm is named.
- 01Microchip your dog and keep registration current
- 02Photograph your pet from multiple angles before storm season
- 03Pack a 7-day pet go-bag: food, water, meds, leash, vaccine records
- 04Identify pet-friendly evacuation routes and shelters in advance
- 05Never leave a pet tethered or locked in a yard during evacuation
- 06Save Ruff Rough's request line and your county emergency contacts
Evacuation Assistance
If you cannot evacuate with your pet — due to transportation, mobility, or shelter restrictions — request assistance as early as possible. Last-minute help is hardest to coordinate as conditions deteriorate.
Request Evacuation HelpReunification After the Storm
Found a stray after a storm? Lost track of your dog during evacuation? Submit a report with photos and last-known location and we'll cross-reference our recovery catalog and partner shelters.
Report a Found or Lost PetDuring an Active Storm
Field teams prioritize life-safety calls and may pause non-emergency drone searches during storm activations. Updates are shared on our channels — please defer non-urgent requests until the all-clear.
Help Us Be Ready
Hurricane response runs on donor fuel — literally. Every dollar funds gas, crates, food, and the trained volunteers who answer the call.