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A dead loggerhead sea turtle lying on wet sand, its shell crusted with barnacles and marked with a bright orange spray-painted cross by stranding responders.
Emergency Checklist

Florida Wildlife Emergency Checklist for Pet Travelers

Every hotline number, the do-not-do list for each hazard, and the signs that mean go straight to emergency care. Save this before you travel.

A stranded loggerhead at St. Augustine Beach, documented by responders in May 2018. The orange cross means the animal has already been recorded, so the next patrol does not count it twice. Keep dogs well away from any carcass on the beach, and report strandings to FWC on 888-404-3922.

Updated September 7, 2026 3 min read By

Most visitors never meet most of this. Florida is a big state and its wildlife changes a lot from region to region - a cane toad is a South Florida backyard problem, a black bear is a central and north Florida one, and a crocodile only matters in the far south. These guides are here for the encounter you do have, not because one is likely.

Florida is an incredible place to travel with a dog.

It is also a state where a normal walk can involve:

  • Alligators
  • Snakes
  • Cane toads
  • Red tide
  • Blue-green algae
  • Jellyfish
  • Fire ants
  • Sharks
  • Large invasive reptiles

You do not need to be afraid of Florida wildlife.

You do need a plan.

This checklist is designed for pet travelers who want one page they can save before a trip.

Before You Travel

1. Find the Nearest Emergency Veterinarian

Before arriving, save:

  • Primary vet
  • 24-hour emergency vet
  • Backup emergency hospital

Do this before the emergency.

2. Save Important Numbers

FWC Nuisance Alligator Hotline

866-FWC-GATOR 866-392-4286

FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline

888-404-FWCC 888-404-3922

Nonnative Species Reporting

888-IVE-GOT1 888-483-4681

ASPCA Animal Poison Control

888-426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline

855-764-7661

Fees may apply to poison-control services.

Dog Gear to Carry

  • Short leash
  • Secure harness
  • Fresh water
  • Portable bowl
  • Cooling gear
  • Flashlight
  • First-aid kit
  • Towel
  • Waste bags
  • Dog life jacket for boating
  • ID tag
  • Vet records

Florida Emergency Rules to Remember

Snake Bite

Go to a veterinarian immediately.

Do not:

  • Cut
  • Suck venom
  • Ice
  • Tourniquet

Cane Toad

Wipe and rinse the mouth immediately, then contact a veterinarian.

Keep water flowing:

Out of the mouth, not down the throat.

Alligator

Back away and leave the water’s edge.

Never let the dog swim in open freshwater or brackish water.

Red Tide

Keep dog away from:

  • Affected water
  • Dead fish
  • Foam

Wash dog with fresh water after exposure.

Blue-Green Algae

Do not let dog:

  • Swim
  • Drink
  • Lick algae

in affected freshwater.

Saltwater Ingestion

Watch for:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Tremors
  • Seizures

Contact a veterinarian if significant seawater was swallowed or symptoms appear.

Fish Hook

Do not pull the line.

Do not induce vomiting.

Go to a veterinarian.

Fishing Line

Do not pull swallowed line from:

  • Mouth
  • Rectum

Call a veterinarian.

Pufferfish

Suspected ingestion is an emergency.

Do not wait for symptoms.

Jellyfish / Man o’ War

Keep dog away from stranded tentacles.

Contact veterinarian after a significant sting.

Stingray

Seek veterinary care for puncture injuries.

Fire Ants

Move dog away from mound.

Watch for:

  • Facial swelling
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Collapse

Sharks

FWC advises not allowing pets in the water because erratic movement may attract attention.

Hurricanes

Keep dogs away from:

  • Floodwater
  • Debris
  • Downed wires
  • Displaced wildlife

Wildlife You Should Never Let a Dog Chase

  • Shorebirds
  • Sandhill cranes
  • Herons
  • Pelicans
  • Key deer
  • Wild turkeys
  • Peacocks
  • Monkeys
  • Iguanas
  • Tegus
  • Nile monitors
  • Alligators

Water Rules

Freshwater

Assume:

  • Alligators possible
  • Snakes possible
  • Blue-green algae possible

Keep dogs out unless the location is clearly managed for pet swimming and current conditions are safe.

Saltwater

Watch for:

  • Sharks
  • Jellyfish
  • Stingrays
  • Red tide
  • Saltwater ingestion

Canals

Treat canals as wildlife habitat.

Do not use them as dog swimming areas.

Night-Walk Rules

At night:

  • Use flashlight
  • Short leash
  • Check yard first
  • Watch for cane toads
  • Watch for snakes
  • Stay away from water edges

Beach Rules

Before a beach day:

  • Check pet legality
  • Check flags
  • Check red tide
  • Check nesting zones
  • Scan for dead fish
  • Bring fresh water
  • Bring shade

Fishing Rules

Keep dog away from:

  • Hooks
  • Line
  • Bait
  • Flopping fish
  • Fish-cleaning stations

Hurricane Season Rules

After storms:

  • Avoid floodwater
  • Inspect paws
  • Watch for fire ants
  • Watch for displaced snakes
  • Keep dog leashed
  • Check local water advisories

When to Go Straight to Emergency Care

Do not wait after:

  • Suspected venomous snakebite
  • Cane toad poisoning signs
  • Pufferfish ingestion
  • Swallowed fish hook
  • Severe alligator injury
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Collapse
  • Serious neurologic symptoms

Travel Habits That Prevent Most Problems

The biggest safety wins are simple:

  • Use a short leash
  • Keep dog away from water edges
  • Carry fresh water
  • Do not let dog eat wildlife or beach debris
  • Do not let dog chase animals
  • Check local conditions before going

Florida is not too dangerous for dogs.

It is simply a place where good leash control, fresh water and wildlife awareness matter more than they do in many other destinations.

Save this checklist before the trip.

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