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STORMS AND ANIMALS
Hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds and lightening, and other life threatening acts of nature. All of us probably have an idea of what is needed to do to keep safe BUT, what about our little companions? How do we prepare them for such emergencies?
Public shelters normally DO NOT allow pets, so we need to plan in advance about how we will react in serious storm situations. We need to make them a part of our overall survival plan.
Identification.
- MAKE SURE YOUR PET HAS ALL ITS VACCINATIONS AND SHOTS UP-TO-DATE! And, just as important, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE TAGS OR IDENTIFICATION SHOWING THAT THEIR RABIES VACCINATIONS ARE CURRENT!
- Your pet should also have identification that will get them returned to you should they become lost. This identification (usually ID tags), should be worn by pets at all times, but it's especially important in emergency situations.
Boarding
If you plan to take your pet to a boarding facility, make sure that the facility is not in the same area of the predicted storm.
Evacuation
- Acquire appropriate pet carriers or crates. Get one for each pet (dog, cat, bird, or other small animal). Frightened animals may exhibit behavior changes. Make sure the carrier has complete pet identification/description attached to the top or side. Get your pet use to the carrier BEFORE you need to use it.
- Confirm that planned accommodations are available.
- Exotic pets, such as snakes and lizards, should be transported in appropriate containers (pillow case, in an extreme emergency). If left at home, and they escape, they run the risk of being destroyed.
- Prepare a list of the food to be taken. Don't forget water!
- Pet medicines and first aid items should be packed.
If you can't take your pet with you make sure they are located in a safe place, away from debris and raising water.
- Provide for food and water supplies for at least a week. Protect the supply from storm damage as much as possible.
- NEVER leave the animal outside.
- Never leave different species together. They may be the best of friends now, but stress can change that.
Not evacuating
- Plan to keep your pets in appropriate carriers or crates, even if they are staying in the home.
- Find safe locations for the pets; away from windows. Protect the carriers from flying debris.
- Locate the pets in areas that will protect them from raising water.
- If you are bringing plants into the house be aware that some plants are poisonous to pets {see Toxic Plants}
- Stock two weeks of supplies, including pet food and medications. Use water resistant containers. Freeze water.
- Stock first aid materials (for you and your pets), personal hygiene items, cleaning materials, home repair items, etc.
- Check or acquire a generator.
- Fish
- Use check valves on air lines to prevent backsiphoning.
- Clean filters before the storm.
- Protect tanks from flying debris.
- Get battery operated pumps.
- Store extra water.
- Have large plastic tubs or heavy duty plastic bags available.
- Chemical assistance:
- Emergency oxygen in water -- add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide
- Reduce nitrates -- add table salt (1 tablespoon/10 gallons of water)
- Have a commercial ammonia and chlorine remover available.
- Listen to radio and TV announcements concerning pet rescue organizations in your area. They may provide additional information and/or pet assistance contact names and numbers.
After the Storm
- Confine animals to secure areas while you clean away debris.
- Store spoiled food in secure containers until they can be hauled away.
- Animals may become disorientated because of the loss of territory markings. Show them their "new" territory, and let them re-adjust.
- Survey your home and surrounding areas for potential danger areas (i.e., electric lines, holes, unstable structures, etc.) Mark them to warn others, and keep your pets from becoming to nosy.
- Use bleach to:
- Disinfect (2 ounces per gallon of water)
- Purify contaminated water (2 drops per quart of water, mix, seal tightly, and let stand for 30 minutes)
- Sprinkle over garbage to reduce orders and repel animals.
Much of the foregoing information is from a brochure produced for residents of Southwest Florida, but is applicable wherever weather can threaten.
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