In December 2015, shortly after Christmas, numerous tornadoes struck the Dallas, Texas, area, leaving behind tremendous damage. Although it wasn’t tornado season, the threat was very real. If you live in a region where tornadoes can occur, be prepared whether or not it is technically tornado season.
That said, Tornado season usually lasts from March through June known as Tornado Alley around the U.S. It is especially important to be aware and have a plan that includes your cats and other pets during this time.
Don’t wait until a tornado siren sounds to decide how to protect you and your pets. Put a plan together now! Here are some things you can do to protect your kitty in case a tornado hits a little too close to home.
1. Choose a safe room
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Don’t wait until a tornado warning is issued to find the best safe space in your home.
NOAA recommends seeking shelter in a basement or storm cellar if one is available. If not, go to the lowest floor of your home, to an indoor space without windows, such as a closet or bathroom.
Keep a small mattress, sleeping bags or heavy blankets in the room to protect you from flying debris. Also keep your cat carriers in your room so you can protect your cats!
2. Keep emergency supplies handy
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Ready.gov has great recommendations on how to prepare and what supplies you should have in your safe space emergency kit. Make sure you have litter, food in waterproof containers and water available for your cat in case your home is hit and you need quick access to supplies.
You should also keep an emergency bag in the safe room for kitties. CatTime has a great article detailing what should be in an emergency bag (click here).
Items include a leash, mineral water, medications and your cat’s vaccination records. You should also make sure you have a recent picture of your cat uploaded online in case your cat escapes and you need a photo for rescue workers.
3. Don’t wait until the last minute
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Cats are notorious for hiding during storms or when they hear something scary. So don’t wait until tornado sirens are howling to gather your cats and keep them in a safe room.
Bring outdoor cats with you immediately if there’s a tornado watch near you. Make sure you have everything set up for an emergency so you’re ready at a moment’s notice.
Storms can be sudden and it’s much harder to prepare if the power goes out.
4. Get your cat microchipped
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One of the most important things you should do is microchip your cat.
A microchip is just a tiny chip implanted under your cat’s skin by a veterinarian. Scanning will show who your cat belongs to. Register the microchip online with a service like Home Again.
This provides more information about you and your cat when the chip is scanned. Also, have easy access to your cat’s microchip number in case you need it in an emergency.
5. Buy your cat a GPS collar
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Get a collar for your cat with a GPS tracker and rabies vaccination label. These collars can make it much easier to see where your cat is when he or she gets lost outside.
If your cat hates collars, you may only want to wear them during a tornado watch.
While it’s impossible to know if a tornado will strike near your home, you can definitely be prepared for the unexpected. Remember, if there is a storm and your cat is inside or outside, wait before letting them back outside. Strong winds can bring down power lines and make nature dangerous for kittens after a big storm.
What do you do to protect your cat in a storm? Do you have a contingency plan? Let us know in the comments below.