As many insurance professionals know, June marks the start of hurricane season, and catastrophes are otherwise known as CATS.
Various predictions appear as to how many named hurricanes will occur during the season, and how many of those will make landfall. Articles appear on how to know when you need flood insurance, how to protect your home from various types of storms and disasters, and how to be prepared.
Related: Hurricane categories explained
One of the most important issues for many, and often somewhat overlooked, is pets. Keeping pets safe during a disaster, especially during an evacuation, should be planned for the same way plans should be made for the humans.
Furry family members
Here are some important numbers to keep in mind, from 2017 National Pet Owners Survey:
— There were 89 million dogs and 94 million cats kept as pets in the United States.
— Freshwater fish account for 139 million pets.
— There are 20 million birds as pets in the U.S.
— There are 18 million saltwater fish kept as pets.
— Americans also own 14 million small animals, 9 million small animals, and 7 million horses.
Our furry friends also account for a significant portion of the consumer economy as petowners spent $66 billion on their animals in 2016, and are expected to spend $69.4 billion in 2017 on such expenses as food, bedding, litter, medical care, supplies, leashes, collars and toys. This figures may even be on the low side, as many people consider their pets family and spoil them with treats, toys, special beds (if they're not sleeping with the humans), stairs for older pets, and a variety of other equipment and gear.
Weather sensitivity
Many animals can sense oncoming storms or earthquakes in advance.
Flamingos, for instance, abandoning breeding grounds to seek higher ground before the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Elephants also trumpeted and headed for the hills.
Rats, weasels, snakes and other underground dwellers have been known to abandon their underground habitats and surface before an earthquake occurs. Snakes can detect earthquakes from 120 kilometers away, up to five days before it occurs, and are being studied for predictive purposes. Cats and dogs are both known for acting acting restless, nervous or out of character before an earthquake. Many are afraid of loud storms and winds, which lead to the development of products such as ThunderShirts®, which are tight fitting shirts or vests for cats and dogs afraid of loud noises. The snug fit provides gentle, constant pressure that helps calm and comfort the animals.
Some animals are nervous enough to need medication for such storms. A hurricane or tornado can be terrifying to animals, so steps should be taken to try to keep them calm and safe.
Even before an insured starts thinking about a disaster plan, the pet must first be identifiable. This family pet is investigating damage after a severe storm moved through Morton, Miss., in 2015. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
First steps for pet safety
While microchips are popular and very valuable in identifying an animal, after a hurricane or other CAT people may not be willing to look for a vet to see if the animal has been chipped. An old fashioned collar with a tag works well. The insured should be sure his name and cell phone number are on the tag.
Identification is even more critical in event of relocation; if the owner and pet get separated, the pet having a phone number where the owner is reachable after relocating is important in reuniting animals and owners.
The pet owner should also have the name and number of the vet, as well as copies of any medical records available. Frightened animals often panic and an otherwise docile animal could bite a well-meaning stranger. Having verification that the animal is current on all shots is important. Keeping the pet's medicine handy is also important. While the approach of a hurricane will be broadcast a number of days before impact, when a tornado looms there is not time to start putting together medications for either the pets or the people. A spare few days of medication should be on hand for all that is easy to grab when heading for shelter in event of a CAT.
When it's time to go
Evacuation is particularly hard on everyone concerned. Leaving one's home and belongings before an approaching CAT is stressful on all counts.
If the order is given to evacuate an area, be sure to take the pets!
If people have been ordered to evacuate then the area is not safe for a pet, and you have no way of knowing when you could be allowed back in to look for your pet. In case of an approaching storm, it is actually best to evacuate before the order is given; animals will be calmer and less frightened if you can leave before winds and sirens start sounding. This gives you an easier time of finding pet-friendly locations to shelter, and helps avoid sitting in traffic for great lengths of time.
While it is relatively easy for humans to relocate, relocating with an animal is more difficult. Different animals have different needs; while you can walk a dog on the side of the road, cats need a litter box. Guinea pigs need to be kept between 65-75 degrees, so the car will need to be warmed up or cooled down before even putting the pig in the car; they are very sensitive to temperature. They should also be checked on every half hour or so. All pets will need water and food while traveling, and should not be left alone in the car.
Not all shelters for people will allow pets, nor will all hotels. There are various websites that can help a pet owner locate pet-friendly lodgings. The time to do this however is before something is on the radar; the best disaster plan is the one developed when no disaster is looming.
The following sites can help locate pet-friendly lodgings:
Many hotels will permit dogs but not cats; you may have to check with the hotel about small exotic pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, lizards and snakes. Many hotels also charge a separate pet fee on top of the room charge. Hotels may change policies, so it is best to check with local hotels at the start of storm season to see what their current requirements are.
It is always advisable to have a plan B; nearby hotels may fill up fast, and you may need to check local veterinarians or kennels, and check with friends outside of the area to see if they can house your pets, and maybe yourself as well. Owners of multiple pets may need multiple resources if all the pets cannot go to the same location.
When relocating it is important to take pet food. While food for people may be available, the availability of pet food, especially if the pet is on a special diet or is a more exotic pet may be more difficult. Likewise clean water, leashes for walking the animal and litter and litter pans for cats is important to take as well.
At times, pet owners may be advised to shelter in place during dangerous weather conditions. Here, a funnel cloud forms near homes in Omaha in April 2016. (Photo: (Tim Moore via AP Images)
Sheltering in place with pets
While it is easier to protect one's animals at home, there are still certain things that should be considered when sheltering in place. Block off areas where a frightened animal may go to hide that could be dangerous to the animal, especially if damage to the dwelling could occur. Any chemicals or dangerous substances should be put in an area away from people, pets and food. Animals should be brought indoors, and should be on leashes or in carriers for safety. This allows the owner to know where the animals are and to relocate in a hurry if the situation changes. This also helps keep the pets calm; many pets feel safe in a familiar carrier, and the last thing you want to happen is to have to try to catch a frightened pet and put him on a leash or in a carrier for safety. They may not like the carrier, but when a storm occurs, they will feel safer. It is advisable to establish a safe room, where emergency supplies for humans and animals, as well as food, water and medications for both can be kept.
In the aftermath
Once the storm is over, it is still important to watch your pets. Do not let them out until you have assessed the area; there may be debris that could cut paws, water on the ground could be contaminated, and other dangers may be present. There may be other animals loose and roaming and maybe injured. Frightened wild animals may be present.
Stay with pets until the situation normalizes; familiar smells may be gone and pets can easily get lost in the chaos. Keeping them leashed or safe in the home, if the home is safe, is best until things are somewhat normal. Pets are comfortable in familiar surroundings; even so, they may need extra patience and understanding as they will not understand what happened. Keeping the pets safe relieves the owners of one issue allowing them to tackle the issues at hand.
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