No animal lover will ever forget those Hurricane Katrina pictures, with desperate and terrified dogs on rooftops, pleading with their eyes to be saved; or those pups futilely swimming for their lives in the foul and putrid water.

That didn't have to happen. And if you make plans and preparations for your pets in advance, no matter what the hurricane season brings us, not a single dog, cat or bird needs to be lost or even injured.

Plan now what to do if a hurricane threatens:

- You can leave your home and take your pets with you.

- You can leave and place them elsewhere.

- You can stay at home with them.

- And hopefully you won't even consider this, but you can go and leave them behind.

If you leave with the pets, make plans to stay with friends off the island or check out pet-friendly hotels, airlines and local boarding facilities. "But you can't just show up at a (public hurricane) shelter with your dog," said Enid Atwater of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "You have to preregister."

The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has a hurricane pet shelter but it doesn't take people. Call 472-8874 or go to the Web site at www.hspb.org for information and to register.

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control's shelter takes people and their pets - it doesn't keep them together - but you must bring your own sleeping bag and supplies. Call 233-1200 or see www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/animal for more information.

Don't count on boarding your pets at your veterinarian's office. Island Animal Hospital, the only vet facility on the island, closes during hurricanes. So do many off-island pet hospitals. "If the storm will be too severe, we can't take our clients' pets in because we may not be able to get back to the hospital to care for them," said Xavier Garcia, owner of El Cid Animal Clinic in West Palm Beach.

His animal hospital is one of the local places offering a nationwide Pet Health ID card which has a photo, description of the pet, what vaccinations he or she has received, and the pet's microchip number on it. This will help you get your animal into a shelter if necessary - and help you find your furry family it they get lost.

Veterinarian Mary Ellen Scully of the Island Animal Hospital warned, "If you're evacuating, the most important thing your pets will need is a health certificate." And keep it in a waterproof bag.

Some dogs require tranquilizers for car travel or thunderstorms, so get them ahead of time, she says.

Take photos of your pets now so you have current pictures if they get lost or become separated from you. Keep a copy with you in case you have to prove ownership later.

Act quickly. Obtain out-of-town hotel or plane reservations or call the friends you plan to stay with before someone else grabs your spot or you can't get through on the phone lines.

Make sure your pet has an ID on it or an identification microchip in case you become separated from it. Have vaccines up to date so that shelters will accept your pet, especially the vaccine for kennel cough.

Write your phone number in permanent ink on the pet's collar, and the phone number of a friend or relative in another area in case the phones are down and you become separated. Fill the gas tank so you can get away rapidly.

You also will need a carrier for each pet that is small enough to fit in your car, but large enough for dogs and cats to stand and sit in comfortably for long periods, especially at a shelter. Don't put together a makeshift crate from cardboard because it could fall apart in the rain.

If you're staying home

Collect extra water by filling pots, pans and bathtubs. Swimming pool water may be used to flush toilets, wash and bathe if necessary.

Even though you should stay in a small room in the center of the house away from windows, the sounds of the storm may be frightening to your pet. Prepare to play music on a battery-operated radio or CD to help block the noise of thunder and wind.

If you leave your pets behind

This is the most dangerous option because you may not be able to return for awhile and pets can become hurt or trapped - or escape the house.

But, if you must leave them, "Don't put them outside tied to a tree or something because I've seen dogs go flying," Garcia said. "It's better to leave them in the house where they can find a place to hide."

He also suggested, "It's good to have a battery-operated automatic feeder and water bowl, but if you don't, leave a lot of dry food and water in no-spill containers."

After a hurricane, familiar scents are often washed away. Known landmarks may be gone. Fences could be broken, allowing pets to escape. And food and other items outside may be rotted and pets may eat these anyway.

On top of everything else, "There may be no air-conditioning after a hurricane," Scully said. "So try to minimize their stress.

"Whatever you do for yourself, do for your pets."

PET PLAN

Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

During the disaster

- Animal brought to a pet shelter are required to have: a proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cafe, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.

- Bring pets indoors well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.

- Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first serve basis. Call ahead about availability.

Pet disaster supply kit

- Proper identification including immunization records

- Ample supply of food and water

- A carrier or cage

- Medications

- Muzzle, collar and leash

Source: NOAA