"A lot of people think climate change is in the future or only happening on the coast. But... climate change is here today and it is impacting every community in one way or another," said Dr. Sarah DeYoung, a disaster researcher at the University of Delaware. "People should be aware that climate change is not a future, distant thing that will impact their animals. It is here and it is impacting every community."

While each disaster has its unique quirks and idiosyncrasies, experts have issued general pet safety recommendations.

Assemble a "go kit" that has everything your pet needs, including food, water, leashes, crates, medication, litter, and doggy bags.

Microchip your pet and ensure your contact info stays updated. Also, keep a recent photo of your pet on your phone and back it up on the cloud.

Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, and keep medical records handy. Evacuees at public shelters are usually worried that pets carry diseases that afflict people, such as rabies. But Dr. Jennifer Federico, a veterinarian and animal services director at Wake County Animal Center in North Carolina, is more concerned about the diseases that dogs could spread to each other. "I think the bigger concern is if they're not up-to-date on vaccines," said Federico. "We don't know if that animal might have parvo, distemper, or anything else."

Some shelters may require pet vaccines for entry, Federico added, so it's useful to print medical files or save them on a digital device.

Know where your pets hide -- especially if they're skittish. If that's not possible, put them somewhere you know you can find them. For instance, Dr. Ashley Farmer, who has researched pet disaster response at Illinois State University, puts her cat in her basement during tornado warnings. "You have to leave very quickly," she said. "You might not necessarily have time to search for your pet."

If you do have to leave your pet behind, don't crate them, tie them up, or otherwise confine them. Farmer said pet owners regularly do this because they fear their pets may run away. "But it's better for your pet to run away than drown because your house flooded and they were tied up," Farmer said. "Ultimately, that can lead to their demise."

DeYoung recalled a pet owner from North Carolina who kenneled their dog in their basement when Hurricane Helene hit. The owner was several hours away from home for work; by the time they came home, it had flooded, and the pet died. "Give people resources. Encourage people to be more weather-savvy, to check the forecast, the rainfall before they go to work," said DeYoung. "You'd rather be safe than sorry."

Plan ahead of time. Identify pet-friendly hotels and motels along potential evacuation routes, including distant options in case closer ones reach capacity. Some municipalities curate lists of pet-friendly shelters thanks to the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006, passed after Hurricane Katrina, said Farmer. If you're coastal, talk to your inland friends and families about the possibility of sheltering with them.

Visualize how your evacuation will look. That includes ensuring you have enough collars and leashes for your dogs and carriers for your cats, and that everything fits in your vehicle. It's prudent to think about how you'll keep them contained during pit stops, too. DeYoung said many pets get lost at gas stations or rest areas when their owners open their car doors.