#ForTheLoveOfPets- Cat safety tips for a hurricane

With the hurricane season in full swing following the passage of Hurricane Elsa last week, we have been getting a lot of tips and advice on disaster preparation for humans.

However, with many Barbadians owning pets, it is pertinent in our preparations to consider their needs as well.

This week, we will focus on cats.

1. Make sure you buy extra cat food. Just like \with human food, stores run out of cat food in emergency situations like this. Many people panic (with good reason) and buy it up. It is crucial to plan if your cat eats special or prescription food.

2. Make sure you have enough water for your pets.
They will need fresh water just like you, and in the event that there is a water outage and you have no power, they will still be thirsty! Three days of water and food per person and animal is the rule of thumb.

3. Seek out evacuation shelters that allow pets.
If you do have to evacuate, you definitely would not want to leave your pets behind to fend for themselves. Most hurricane shelters DO NOT allow animals, so check ahead for one in your area that does. These generally require advance sign-up. If you don’t have one close to home, find pet-friendly hotels or vets that will be open for boarding.

4. Have carriers for each of your pets, and have them ready.
If you ride out the storm in your home and things get bad, you will want to put your pets in their carriers to keep them safe and nearby.

5. If you have a “safe room” in your house, make sure you have pet supplies ready in there as well.
This is typically a room with no windows in the interior of your home, like the bathroom. Food, water and the litterbox should be ready to go inside if you need to take cover in there.

6. Stay with them and make them feel safe.
You know the hurricane is coming because you have been watching the news; your pets have no idea what is going on. They will probably be scared, so do your best to calm them and show them extra love.

7. If you have outside cats you care for and there is any way you can bring them in (just for the day), try and do that.
Ferals are not easy to round up, and it is often not even feasible, but make sure to feed them before the storm hits, so they have full bellies. Check for them as soon as you can after, but not during the storm. Animals are intelligent, and they will probably have a good hiding place. Let them stay there until it is safe to come out.