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My ex and his wife left their cat in the garage when they evacuated for Hurricane Katrina. How they could be so stupid and cruel is beyond me - well, I did divorce him, so maybe I had a clue, LOL. Anyway, her son came over 3-4 days later and found the cat in the rafters and started feeding her. But the water had been contaminated and the cat later died from the toxic effects. I know a lot of poeple who thought they would be home the next day, all safe at home, but it didn't happen. Just be careful not to leave the animals bhind if you evacuate even for "1 day."
Unfortunately, the story is all too common. I find it so hard to believe people could leave a helpless animal behind. Many animals were left for Katrina and laws/rules were put into effect afterwards for any hurricanes in the future. Shelters and buses will now take animals, along with their humans. The 2 Hurricanes that followed for us on the Gulf Coast: Rita and Ike...the # of animals that were left decreased greatly...but still animals are left behind. No doubt, it is alot of extra work...but by having it done beforehand, helps tremendously. No one gets left behind at our house!
Very good advice all around for there is no substitute for preparation and planning.
I can get my head around the domestic pets and tornado shelters... what do people do about, for example, horses?!
My equines are the reason I won't contemplate living anywhere in Tornado Alley, because I can't figure out how I'd be able to keep them safe. Just out of curiosity, how do people deal with it?
At least with hurricanes, you have a lot more warning and time to "GET OUT!" and there's a network of stables that will take in evacuees. You load and go. But tornadoes....... well, you don't have that luxury.
When I had horses in Wyoming where tornadoes occurred - not often, but when they did - it is as stated, they had ID's on them and were left to their own devices when a storm came up. They seem to have a better sense on how to remain safe than I could've given them in a tornado situation. The times I had to take shelter, I fretted over them but they managed fine.
FYI....my comments are for those furry kids living indoors with me....I have no clue about live stock....BUT.... if they could fit in the truck with me.....I can see hubbys face now..."but hon...it's just a little horse!
I think the best place to keep all your important papers for pets, etc. is in a waterproof/fireproof lead box and put it in the trunk of your car until the storm passes. I did this last year. It is even better if your caar is kept in the garage! Just an idea.
It's nice to know I'm not crazy! Or at least I'm in good with a bunch of other crazies anyway I do hate to think if something happened and I wasn't here though. We do get quite a good warning most of the time for tornadoes though, usually I start leashing everyone with the first sign of anything going, then if it starts picking up I start kenneling the ones that need it, and if we go to 'red' we start moving our butts out. This way we're packed up already. Of course that one time was at night and it was crazy, but having the dogs know what to do or what is expected of them helps so much. Hurricanes would scare the everlasting pee out of me.
When I had horses in Wyoming where tornadoes occurred - not often, but when they did - it is as stated, they had ID's on them and were left to their own devices when a storm came up. They seem to have a better sense on how to remain safe than I could've given them in a tornado situation. The times I had to take shelter, I fretted over them but they managed fine.
Does this mean I can scrap the plans for the underground equine bunker?.
Fivehorses, I actually suggested that, lol, last cane season and all the old timers around here thought I lost my mind. The last cane here produced alot of tornadoes and one hit my horse barn. If my horses had been in there, well I just thank God they were not. Only one stall remained standing and nothing else. My horse were out in the field and not a scratch on them!
Fivehorses, I actually suggested that, lol, last cane season and all the old timers around here thought I lost my mind. The last cane here produced alot of tornadoes and one hit my horse barn. If my horses had been in there, well I just thank God they were not. Only one stall remained standing and nothing else. My horse were out in the field and not a scratch on them!
- See, I get goose bumps just reading that! Thankfully, a miss is a good as a mile, and I'm glad your horses were unharmed.
Were you thinking along the lines of the mechanical floor that could be lowered into "the basement" with the retractable steel shutters that would close over the top (i.e. 007 meets Tornado Alley) or were you thinking more along the lines of down a ramp into a more cave-like structure?
(Just for Highland Lady's amusement. )
I see there's a bout of severe weather predicted for the south/southeast for later today and tomorrow. May everyone and all the critters stay safe.
Fivehorses, It scares me to death and I pace with every storm watching them. I can see them from all the windows on the back side of the house. I was thinking of an underground concrete bunker with a ramp, but, But the price - OMG - I really need to win the lottery.
Oh you should of seen us after that storm passed, 6 of us out there trying to catch them. Part of the privacy fence around the pool went down and our young gelding wanted in that dang pool, between him being scared and all of us being scared it was not a dance I want to take on again.
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