Tips for Securing Your Pets in Your Storm Shelter

When we think about keeping our families safe from approaching storms and tornadoes, we also have our non-human companions in mind. Pets are in just as much danger as we are during these events, and making sure you have room for them in your shelter is vital to maintaining their safety. However, pets can be a bit more challenging to handle in these situations, causing you to lose precious time when you need it most. Our tips for securing your pets in your storm shelter will reduce this challenge and ensure everyone in the family stays protected.

Store Your Pet Supplies in the Shelter

It’s important that you have all of your pet’s essentials with you in the storm shelter. Much like our food and water, you’ll need to ensure that your pet has access to their own food, treats, and bedding. You may also want to pack away a few toys to help ease some of your pet’s anxiety during the event. Storing extras in your shelter guarantees you will have access to them, and that you won’t need to grab them during an evacuation.

Have an Accommodating Evacuation Plan

Creating an evacuation plan that includes your pet, and running through it with them several times, is also a vital tip for securing your pet in your storm shelter. Few pets fully comprehend what’s happening when you suddenly rush them into a small, enclosed space. As such, getting them used to these drills can significantly affect how smoothly the process goes in the future. With a detailed plan to refer to, you’ll avoid confusion about how you should seek shelter with your dog or cat, and what you’ll need to do to ensure their security.

Use a Kennel or Crate for Extra Security

Another thing to remember is to secure your pets within the shelter itself. Often, these rooms have little extra space for people to move around. So, having a larger dog with you can pose comfort and mobility issues. Placing them in their kennel or crate ensures that your pet stays contained and can’t hurt themselves or you in a panic. In many cases, they also find these tighter spaces more comforting.

Keep Them Comfortable

Above all else, make sure you do what you can to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. Bring along their favorite toys and fill a corner or their kennel with their used bedding. Scents will be especially crucial to helping them stay calm throughout the duration of the storm. Therefore, having things they like or that have familiar scents on hand will work wonders to keep them calm.

We at Swisher want everyone in the family to feel safe during a crisis, including your cats, dogs, and other companions. That’s why we design our ESP safety shelters with the utmost attention to security and accessibility. These products allow for quick and easy entry with unrivaled strength that can withstand even EF5 tornadoes. So, in buying with us, we’re confident you’ll have everything you need to keep your loved ones safe.