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Permalink Reply by Chris, Kadi & Brodie on May 8, 2012 at 2:46pm

I don't live in Florida, but I just watched a show on Animal Planet about Nile Monitors and Red Tailed Boas that are taking over, due to people who had them as pets and have released them. Since the weather is so mild, they are able to survive in the wild and since they were tame, they come into yards, houses, etc. and are killing small pets.

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Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on May 8, 2012 at 2:49pm

I hear gators are a real problem too.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on May 8, 2012 at 3:21pm

Hi Kaitlyn & Chase, where in North Florida will you be? East coast along I95 or middle like I75? It makes a difference.

Hurricane season is June - Nov, shop for hurricane supplies during the preparation week, you won't pay tax on items such as cooler, batteries...etc. Have a pet plan.

Make sure you have food and water for 3 - 7 days, electricity can go out for days - weeks depending on where you live. Not all hurricane shelters are pet friendly.

When the hurricane passed, do not go out and tread in water, besides being electrocuted by down power lines, snakes and bugs are known to hang out near doors when the flood comes.

When state mandatory evacuation issued, pack up, board up and leave, don't wait till the last minute, most hotels along the interstate will be full, all the way up to North carolina / Tennessee. If you live in a brick home, stay for cat 1-2, leave for cat 3, go far away for 4-5.

When the water temperature is high, the hurricane can strengthen and stay out in the ocean for days, that means tons of rain from the outer band when the hurricane does make landfall. Make sure all your windows, sliding door are flood ready.

If you live on the beach side, make sure you leave when they tell you to, if you missed the grace period, they will shut down the causeway and you'll be stuck on the beach side.

Get renter's insurance, make sure flooding is covered in your policy.

Get a weather radio, plug it in, turn it on.

Florida weather is great for fleas, avoid tall grassy area, mow your lawn faithfully. Use comfortis on a need to basis , for short kill, use capstar.

Under no circumstance should ever you walk your dog on leash / no leash along the lake / retention pond, gators are no joke. 

Get rid of fire ants on your property, nasty nasty bugs.

Avoid sunset walks - aka mosquitos feeding time.

Walk your dogs around 9-10pm during the summer months, stop for water breaks every 15mins.

Do not walk your dogs on the beach (no dogs allowed sign), especially in turtle nesting area. (BIG FINE)

Use baby sunscreen on your dog's nose and thin hair area. Your dog can get sunburn from the sun's reflection off the sidewalk. 

Here's a list of FL snakes.

Welcome to Florida :)

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Permalink Reply by Kaitlyn & Chase on May 8, 2012 at 4:18pm

We are moving to Palm Coast, I believe that is along I95...
Thank you so much for all of the great tips! I've already started making my lists!!

 I am checking out the Pet Plan link that you included and I'll look at the list of FL snakes ASAP as I hear they can be a big problem.
I am not a huge fan of beaches or lakes, though I would like Chase to have to beach experience (on a dog friendly beach of course) just out of curiousity, are there and gator free lakes? I suppose you could never be absolutely sure that there aren't gators in any lake.
I already have the baby sunscreen!! It's funny that you say that, most people think I am crazy when I put baby sunscreen on Chase's nose, ears and belly.
Again, thank you so much for all of the great advice! It is very helpful!

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on May 8, 2012 at 8:46pm

Nice town :)

I know several members took snake avoidance classes, but I've never looked into one in FL. I've encountered 2 non poisonous snakes in my backyard (last 10 years), keep your grass mowed, you'll be able to spot one easier, sometimes their colour blend into the mulch. Here's what you can do with your yard.

There are gator free lakes in some dog parks. I know Orlando has one, private own with a sandy beach :)

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Permalink Reply by Kaitlyn & Chase on May 8, 2012 at 4:30pm

What do you do to make sure that your Corgis don't get bitten by a snake? I would like to have a yard that Chase and I can play in together. Do you normally just do a search of the yard to make sure that you don't see any snakes?

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Permalink Reply by Terry S. on May 8, 2012 at 4:54pm

Watch out for Cuban Tree Frogs and the Bufos Cane Frog. Both secret poisons that can make your dog or cat Veterinarian required sick. I found one in my backyard last night. Kill them if you can since they are also invasive.

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Permalink Reply by Maddie, Sam, and Ruby on July 1, 2012 at 2:39am

Heat, snakes, spiders, other poisonous wildlife, and extreme weather. I live in south Georgia, so we`ll share some conditions. Pretty much just keep on the look out for obvious hazards and you`ll be fine. 

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Permalink Reply by aronna welsh on July 1, 2012 at 9:47am

We live in the deepest part of Georgia and share the same hazards. The exact risk will depend on the enviroment around your home. How close you live to a marshland or fresh water source. Even if you live in a well developed area you can have snakes. We live in the country and have woods and a pond. We have had small gators, watermocians, and rattlesnakes. Keep grass short and do not leave piles of leaves or limbs around the place. Watch for small holes in the yard as snakes will sleep in them. When small puppies are out watch for Hawks. Make sure all gaps around pipes, outlets, and doors are filled in or snakes will come inside,  Throw mothballs under the house. Read up on snakes.For bad weather keep a dog survial crate packed with food bottled water etc. Good luck the south is great just different,

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