Association Recommends Tips For Protecting Your Pet During Severe Weather

Online, April 18, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The National Association of Pet Sitters (NAPPS) offers strategies for pet parents facing the problems associated with severe storms or tornadoes.

Preparation is essential.

"Household pets are in great danger during tornadoes," states John D'Ariano, President of NAPPS says, "The key to pet safety in these situations is preparedness."

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.

If there is risk of a tornado, warnings will give the location and the area immediately affected by the alert.

If you are in a high or moderate risk area, follow these tips to protect yourself and your animals:

Identify a group of volunteer spotters who watch the sky during threatening weather and report signs of a tornado to local emergency management officials, the regional office of the National Weather Service and local farmers.

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.

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 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.

Source: http://www.ktul.com/story/14457746/tips-for-protecting-your-pet-during-severe-weather

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