As I'm sitting here, it's pouring down rain, we had tornadoes touch down last night and Hannah is wearing a path around my coffee table in a release of nervous energy. Which makes me think that there are probably some precautions that pet owners should take during severe weather season. I was able to find this list from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters that I think warrants taking a few minutes to review. Many of the items are pretty common sense, but a few of them may just make you think again about habits to get into!
TORNADOES AND THUNDERSTORMS
Severe thunderstorm watchConditions are right for:
• Lightning or damaging winds greater than 58 mph
• Hail that could reach a diameter of 0.75 inches
• Heavy rain
A thunderstorm watch indicates that you should take action to protect yourself and your pets.
Severe thunderstorm warning
Severe thunderstorms have been sighted in your area.
Animals, especially dogs, can often hear thunderstorms before humans and may show this by becoming anxious, hiding, and vocalizing. Horses will sometimes run frantically around their pasture.
Tornado watch
Conditions are right for a tornado to develop and the sky should be watched.
Tornado warning
A tornado has been sighted or is spotted on radar. Warnings will give the location of the tornado and the area immediately affected by the warning.
There are several steps that you can take to keep yourself, and your animals safe during thunderstorms and tornadoes. Preparedness actions are listed below.
• Designate a safe area in or near your home to shelter your family and animals in a severe thunderstorm. Teach family members what to do in a storm if they are at home, outside, or in a car, including how to relocate animals to safe locations.
• If you have animals that get nervous and pose a safety risk in thunderstorms, contact your veterinarian for advice on how to mitigate this situation.I would add to this list that it's important to have current identification on your animals at all times and that they be up to date on all vaccinations. That way if they do become separated from you in case of severe weather it becomes much easier for them to be returned to you. And while identification tags are great, microchipping is ideal, because microchips will be carried with your pet, even if they lose their collar.
• The best preparation for a tornado is to designate a tornado shelter for yourself and your animals. Tornado shelters are safest if they are underground — a storm cellar or basement away from windows offers the best protection.
• If your home has no basement, stay in the center of the house away from the windows or in a small room on the ground floor that is away from outside walls. Take cover under solid furniture or mattresses. Protect your head.
• Do not drive. If you are driving and spot a tornado, get out of your car and go into a nearby building or ditch and take your animals with you. Protect your head and stay low to the ground.
• Know the location of the designated shelter where you work or go to school. If you frequently travel with your dog in the car, keep a leash in the vehicle at all times in case you have to vacate the car during a tornado.
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters also provides tips for keeping your animals safe during other types of disasters, ranging from hurricanes to tsunamis. You can view their entire emergency preparedness document here.
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