Veterinary telehealth emerges as hurricane-season backup for pet owners

By AI, Created 12:56 PM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – As NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, veterinary telehealth is being positioned as a way for pet owners in Florida, New York and Virginia to keep routine care and prescriptions moving during storm disruptions. The issue matters because evacuations and clinic closures can cut off access to vets when pets still need medication, triage and records.

Why it matters: - Hurricane disruptions can break access to routine veterinary care exactly when pets need medication, triage and continuity. - Pet owners in Florida, New York and Virginia are among those most likely to face storm-related care gaps during Atlantic hurricanes. - Telehealth can help maintain care for non-emergency needs when a clinic is closed, unreachable or displaced.

What happened: - NOAA’s preliminary outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which opened June 1, calls for 17 to 21 named storms. - Veterinary telehealth is being cited as a continuity tool for pet owners preparing for storm season. - Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, a licensed veterinarian and founder of Rex Vets Inc., said virtual care can help preserve the veterinarian-client-patient relationship during evacuations and disruptions. - Rex Vets Inc., operating as RexVet, provides licensed video veterinary care in Florida, New York and Virginia.

The details: - Veterinary telehealth lets licensed veterinarians consult with pet owners by video. - The category has expanded since 2020 as multiple state veterinary boards updated telehealth practice rules. - State rules typically require the veterinarian to be licensed in the state where the pet is physically located. - State rules also require a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship before telehealth care can be provided. - Florida, New York and Virginia permit virtual veterinary care under those conditions. - Prescription continuity is one of the most common needs during evacuations, Delacruz said. - Chronic medications cited include anxiety, heart, seizure and allergy prescriptions. - Telehealth can allow a veterinarian to route prescriptions to an operational pharmacy near the pet’s current location. - Rex Vets Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 by Delacruz. - The organization is licensed and bonded as a veterinary practice under the laws of each state it serves. - Surplus revenue is reinvested into expanding licensed coverage and underwriting visits for low-income families. - Rex Vets lists more information at the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The push for telehealth reflects a practical shift, not a replacement for emergency care. - Delacruz said virtual care does not replace in-person emergency medicine. - The model appears aimed at keeping routine care moving while emergency clinics handle acute cases. - For families evacuating with pets, the biggest value is continuity: records, prescriptions and access to a licensed veterinarian across state lines.

What’s next: - Pet owners in hurricane-prone areas are being urged to document current prescriptions before storms hit. - Pet owners should identify a telehealth option licensed in their state before an emergency. - Pet owners should keep digital copies of veterinary records ready for travel. - Pet owners should map a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic along any evacuation route. - The wider test for veterinary telehealth will be whether state-by-state licensing and evacuation logistics make care easier during storm season.**