South Carolina's Public Shelters Don't Allow Pets – Here's Where You Can Go Instead

As Hurricane Florence forces hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians to leave their homes and travel westward to safety, many residents might be surprised to learn that they won't be allowed to enter the Palmetto State's public shelters with their pets.

But that doesn't mean you're out of options, and it certainly doesn't mean you should leave your pets at home while you evacuate. If you need a pet-friendly place to stay that won't charge, call your local emergency management agency or animal shelter to find out if your county offers locations to go with your cats and dogs during the storm.

For those resources, head to PetFriendlyTravel.com.

(MORE: Florence's Impacts on South Carolina)

Across the region, hotel availability is a fluid situation with many expected to cancel bookings as they travel home to other parts of the country, so don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call around during your trip.

"Most hotels will begin receiving cancellations from guests who are not coming because of Florence so we expect frequent shifts in availability over the next 24 hours," hotel spokeswoman Jacqui Rose told the Greenville News.

Above all else, don't leave your pets at home. They're not ready to survive the impacts of a major hurricane, no matter what measures you take to protect them.