Hurricane Season Boarding Policy
Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. If your boarding reservation falls during this time, please review the following policy and have an emergency plan in place before your dog's stay.
Emergency Contact Required
All boarding reservations during hurricane season must include a local emergency contact who is willing and able to pick up your dog if a hurricane or other significant weather event is expected to impact Southwest Florida.
If a Hurricane Threatens Southwest Florida
The safety of the dogs in my care, my family, and my own animals is always my highest priority.
If a hurricane or other severe weather event is forecast to pose a significant threat to our area, Dog Ranch will suspend boarding operations and clients will be required to activate their emergency plan. This may include returning home early to retrieve your dog or arranging for your designated emergency contact to do so.
While I understand this may be inconvenient, it allows everyone adequate time to prepare safely rather than making last-minute decisions as conditions deteriorate.
Why This Policy Exists
The Dog Ranch is a small, home-based private boarding program—not a commercial hurricane shelter.
In addition to caring for boarding dogs, I am responsible for my own dogs, horses, home, and property. Major storms often bring extended power outages, flooding, fallen trees, and limited access to essential resources. Because the property operates on a well, prolonged power outages also affect water availability.
If evacuation becomes necessary, transporting numerous boarding dogs, my own animals, and the supplies required for their care is simply not practical or safe. Likewise, securing emergency accommodations for multiple unfamiliar dogs during a widespread evacuation can be extremely difficult.
Rather than attempting to manage these challenges during an emergency, I believe it is far safer and more responsible for each dog to be reunited with its family or designated caregiver before conditions become hazardous.
Planning Ahead
If your dog is boarding during hurricane season, please discuss your emergency plan with your designated contact before your trip begins.
Should a storm threaten Southwest Florida, I will communicate with clients as early as possible regarding anticipated timelines and any necessary pickup arrangements. Dogs will remain in my care for as long as it is safe and practical to do so, but there comes a point when preparations for my family, property, and animals must take priority.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Having a clear plan in place allows us all to focus on what matters most—the safety and well-being of every animal involved.
If you have any questions about this policy, please don't hesitate to reach out.