Kansas and Missouri are highly-susceptible tornado states (Tornado Alley).  You can quickly and easily increase the chances that your pets survive a tornado by following a few simple steps.  Tornadoes can produce incredible damage.  Most people know what to do to protect themselves, but many do not know that they also need to make preparations that can also save their pet’s life.

The following are just a few of the recommended steps that will help prepare pet owners in the event of a tornado.

• Have pet supplies in the family’s tornado-proof room or cellar – these items can be similar to those in your disaster/emergency kit
• Food, water, and treats in sufficient quantities should the town’s infrastructure be
• diminished and you are unable to get to the store
• Sanitation items, such as a litter box and litter or puppy pads, in case an excited or
• frighten pet has an accident
• Crates for a cat or a frightened dog to provide the animal with a cozy, secure hiding place to weather the storm

• Keep visible and current identification on pet at all times

• Practice getting the entire family to the tornado safe area during calm weather
• Train your dog to go to the area on command or to come to you on command regardless of distractions
• Learn how to quickly and safely secure your cat
• Know your pet’s hiding places and how to safely extricate him/her

• Make your tornado safe area pet friendly
• Eliminate unsafe hiding areas that frightened cats may find
• Remove dangerous items such as tools or toxic products stored in the area

• Have family and pet disaster kits available should you need to evacuate the area due to heavy destruction

Facts (according to NOAA):

• An average of over 1,000 tornadoes are recorded each year in the United States.
• Tornadoes have been recorded in every state in the country.
• Tornado Alley refers to an area including central Texas to northern Iowa and from Kansas and Nebraska to western Ohio.
• Tornadoes most often occur in the afternoon and early evening.