Pets will not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters. Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Important announcements will be shown on cable channel 1 or 78 Protect your windows.
Permanent shutters are the best protection.
A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm. If plywood is not available oryou do not have time, cris-crossed duct tape will minimize flying glass if windows should break Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.