Title: How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of a Tornado
Author: Julie Calligaro
How to Protect Your Pet in the Event of a Tornado
The destructive tornados in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and
Kansas are reminders that disaster can strike anywhere. The
U.S. averages 1,000 tornados each year. And while we tend
to think of tornados as a weather phenomenon of the
Midwest, they have been recorded in every state. This year,
although only half over, is already the deadliest tornado
year in the U. S. since 1998 and seems on track to break
the record for the number of tornados in a year.
By their very nature, tornados come at us fast and
furiously and often with little notice. Consequently the
only way to safeguard your family pet is to be prepared
before a tornado strikes. Take action now, our companion
animals depend on us for their survival.
Prepare in advance. Keep pet supplies in a tornado-proof
room or cellar. For example: Food, water, and treats in
sufficient quantities. Sanitation items i.e. litter box,
litter or puppy pads. Crates for a cat or frightened dog to
provide your pet with a cozy, secure hiding place to
weather the storm.
Practice getting your family and pets to the safe area.
Train your dog to go to the safe area on command. Learn how
to quickly and safely secure your pet. Know your pet's
hiding places and how to safely extricate them.
Make your tornado safe area pet friendly. Eliminate unsafe
areas where cats may try to hide. Remove dangerous items
such as tools or toxic products stored in the area.
Identify your pet If your pet gets lost, his identification
is his ticket home. Your options include: collar tags
imprinted with your pet's name, your name and phone number;
a tattoo with an identification number i.e. your social
security number; a GPS tracking device attached to your
pet's collar; or a microchip. Microchips provide
identification that is permanent and uses a unique number
that cannot be altered. Approximately 1.5 million dogs and
cats now have microchips.
Use pet rescue window stickers Attach pet rescue stickers
on prominent windows in your home. If a disaster strikes
when you're not home, the stickers will alert rescue
workers that pets are inside. Be sure the stickers are
visible to rescue workers and include the types and number
of pets in your household. If you and your pets evacuate
(and time permits) write "Evacuated" across the stickers.
Heavy rains and flooding often follow tornados so be
prepared to evacuate with your pet if that becomes
necessary.
About the Author:
Julie A. Calligaro is a probate and estate planning
attorney and the author of How to Safeguard Your Pet in an
Emergency and at Your Disability or Death and Arranging
Your Financial And Legal Affairs.
http://www.Safeguar
that protect pets during an emergency and at your
disability or death and a Pet Care Card to carry if you are
injured or hospitalized,
http://www.safeguar
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