The tornadoes that hit Sioux Falls last week were a scary reminder that tornadoes can happen anywhere and to anyone. You most likely have a plan set in place with your family when a tornado or fire emergency affects your home, but does that plan include your pets? Here are some tips on how to prepare your entire family during these situations!

IN CASE OF A TORNADO
What you can do to prepare before...

• Make a plan and share it with your family. Decide who will be in charge of getting each pet into the secure area if there should be a tornado, but also keep in mind not everyone may be home during that time. Have alternatives and make sure everyone knows what needs to happen.
• Make sure your hiding area is pet safe. This area should be an interior room of your house with no windows or doors to the outside. Make sure this area has a battery-powered light source with extra batteries in this area. Store a weather radio to use during the storms as well. Make sure to remove any toxic chemicals or tools that could harm your pet. 
• Make sure your pets are wearing proper id. This is important in case your pets become separated from you for any reason. A physical tag will help a dog or cat be returned to you quickly if the collar does not come off. Another great resource for id is having your pet microchipped. Any veterinary clinic can scan the pet and the shelter scans each pet as it comes into the shelter. The code that comes up on this microchip stores your pet's profile information and is linked to your contact information. A microchip is not a GPS device and will not tell us where your animal is located.
• Prepare an easily accessible emergency kit for your pet that includes:
  • Clean water for at least 3 days
    
  • Non-perishable canned food and bowls
  • Can opener
  • Kennel for your dog
  • Litter and litter box
  • Potty Pads
  • Medications
  • Dry blankets/towels
  • Photograph of your pet and proof of ownership
  • Vaccination records
  • Basic first aid kit including bandages, disinfectant, gauze
  • Toys
  • Extra leashes
  • Trash bags

During a tornado warning...

• Stay calm and gather your pets. Dogs should be on a leash and cats should be in a crate or on a leash. Don't act too frantic or it may cause your pets to panic as they sense your anxiety. Do not leave dogs outside during a tornado warning.
• Execute the plan you created with your family.
• Grab your emergency kits.
• Go to the secure hiding area that you have prepared with your weather radio and battery-powered light source.

After a tornado in your area...

• Pay attention to your pets' behavior and check them for any injuries.
• Don't let your pets roam free when you come out of your hiding spot until you can access any damage that has occurred in or outside your home. 
• Return to your normal routine as soon as you are able. This will help your pets settle down and not feel so anxious. If you notice any behavioral problems or severe anxiety that isn't normal for your pet, contact your vet.

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IN CASE OF A FIRE
What you can do to prepare before...

• Make a plan and share it with your family. Decide who will be in charge of getting each pet into the secure area if there should be a fire, but also keep in mind not everyone may be home during that time. Have alternatives and make sure everyone knows what needs to happen. Choose a meeting place outdoors that is far enough away from your home where you can meet. Run practice drills with your family that include your pets, if possible. Make sure you also create a backup plan for your pets, in case you are not home during a fire emergency. 
• Train your pets to listen to your commands. This is much easier for dogs, but teach your cat that a carrier is not a scary thing but keeping the carrier out and letting them go in and out of the carrier without shutting the door. That way the cats will not associate the carrier with scary things like car rides or vet visits, which will make it easier to get the cat into a carrier during an emergency. 
• Prepare an easily accessible emergency kit for your pet that includes:
  • Clean water for at least 3 days
    
  • Non-perishable canned food and bowls
  • Can opener
  • Kennel for your dog
  • Litter and litter box
  • Potty Pads
  • Medications
  • Dry blankets/towels
  • Photograph of your pet and proof of ownership
  • Vaccination records
  • Basic first aid kit including bandages, disinfectant, gauze
  • Toys
  • Extra leashes
  • Trash bags
• Make sure your pets are wearing proper id. This is important in case your pets become separated from you for any reason. A physical tag will help a dog or cat be returned to you quickly if the collar does not come off. Another great resource for id is having your pet microchipped. Any veterinary clinic can scan the pet and the shelter scans each pet as it comes into the shelter. The code that comes up on this microchip stores your pet's profile information and is linked to your contact information. A microchip is not a GPS device and will not tell us where your animal is located.
  

During a fire emergency...

• Stay calm and execute your plan. Locate and leash or crate your pets, grab your emergency kit and leave the area. If time allows it is also recommended you turn off your gas or propane. If it is not safe to do this, just get out as safely as possible.
  
  • If your pets are indoors and you are unable to locate them, leave windows and doors open on your way out so they can escape on their own.
• Go to your meeting area and call 911, or ask a neighbor to call 911.

After a fire emergency...

• Pay attention to your pets' behavior and check them for any injuries. If you notice any burn injuries or trouble breathing, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
• Don't let your pets roam free when you come out of your hiding spot until you can access any damage that has occurred in or outside your home. 
• Return to your normal routine as soon as you are able. This will help your pets settle down and not feel so anxious. If you notice any behavioral problems or severe anxiety that isn't normal for your pet, contact your vet.