Summer on the coast of Southwest Florida conjures up numerous images—afternoons in the pool, weekends at the beach, and nights on the patio with BBQ tongs in hand. But summer also ushers in the start of Atlantic hurricane season which, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is projected to be active this year. 

Sure, many Floridians have hurricane planning down to a science. If you’ve spent at least one hurricane season here, then chances are, you know where to locate sandbags and which stores have the most water bottle cases. But in the midst of all that planning, it’s vital to make sure the needs of your pets won’t fall through the cracks.  

So, what are those needs exactly? I posed this question to Kathleen Kurzydlo, the owner of Pet Supply Center here in Sarasota, and she was kind enough to share her advice in the Q&A below. I hope you’ll find our conversation full of practical insights to weather any storms on the horizon, while keeping furry family members safe, calm, and comfortable.   

Natural Awakenings: Hurricane season is officially upon us—what action steps should pet owners take to ensure their furry friends’ well-being?  

Kathleen Kurzydlo: First, make sure that all name tags and microchips are up-to-date with your current contact information. We also recommend keeping an extra month of pet food on-hand during the summer, along with an extra supply of medications your pet might need. Consider your pets when stocking up on water bottles, too. Create an evacuation plan ahead of time and know which local shelters allow animals—never leave a pet behind. Taking these measures will keep everyone safe in the midst of a hurricane, including your pets.   

NA: What are the most essential pet food items and other supplies to stock up on before a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall?  

Kurzydlo: Invest in dry foods or canned foods with a pop-top lid. Many pet owners feed their animals frozen or refrigerated diets, but relying on these foods will no longer be an option if your area loses power. To plan ahead for this outcome, we recommend keeping dry foods in their diet as well.  Whether it’s a high-quality kibble or a freeze-dried raw food, it needs to be easy to consume and transport if necessary. For animals on canned diets, look for brands with pop-top lids—or include a manual can opener in your evacuation kit.   

NA: What are some practical strategies to keep your animals calm and help minimize their anxiety in a hurricane sheltering or evacuation situation?  

Kurzydlo: There are many calming treats available on the market. One of our favorites is Composure Pro, which uses L-tryptophan, Colostrum, and L-theanine to help reduce anxiety.  CBD and hemp treats are excellent options, too. The trick is to introduce these calming products well in advance, then keep them in your pet’s system throughout the whole storm. We advise starting the treats three days before a hurricane is forecast in your area. Then, continue to administer them in the morning and evening until the storm passes.  

NA: In your personal estimation, what makes Pet Supply Center different from some other pet food retailers in the Sarasota community?  

Kurzydlo: We are a family-owned business that has been in this area for 35 years. We were the first local store to never sell pets and to offer both veterinary and natural pet foods. Because of this, we are uniquely skilled in helping our customers find the right pet foods for animals with health issues, and we care deeply about making sure pet owners have the resources they need to care for their animals’ well-being. We also set affordable prices, so our customers can easily access the best foods for their pets.   

Pet Supply Center is located at 3558 Webber Street, Sarasota. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 941-925-4376 or visit https://petsupplycentersarasota.com/