Hurricanes are any combination of rain and wind over 74 mph that bears the potential for harm or destruction. They form from the wide expanse of the ocean as cyclones as a result of warm air from the water’s surface rising to meet the cool air of the world above it.
This leads to vapor condensation, which show themselves as rainstorms.
Dangerous hurricanes typically call for evacuations. But during Hurricane Katrina, many people chose not to do so – and 44% of them made this decision because they did not want to leave behind their beloved pets. More than 15,500 pets were rescued during this time, and this eventually led to the Pet Evacuation Transportation Standards act, which requires that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide protection and aid to pets and their owners.
Sadly, tens of thousands of pets were still lost to the hurricane, and this could have been prevented if a safe place was found for these animals in advance. Hurricanes don’t usually hit out of nowhere – they give warning. As such, you can plan evacuations in advance. You should:
- Prepare your dog’s medical documentations in a waterproof file
- Make sure you have a supply of food and water (as well as bowls to serve them to your dog in)
- Buy extra gasoline for your car
- Get waterproof bags, folders, and containers to protect items in
- Gather battery-powered devices, like torchlights and radios
- Make sure your dog’s ID and microchip are up-to-date
Feature Image Source: Pixabay