Advice for Keeping Animals Safe in Stormy Weather

Storms can be terrifying and sometimes dangerous experiences for cats, dogs, birds and other animals, so it’s vital that their guardians take precautions to help them stay safe.

Here are some tips that could save lives, the next time that bad weather looms:

• Keep your companion animals indoors.

• Don’t allow cats or dogs to roam freely outdoors. During bad weather, cats sometimes climb under the bonnets of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started. (To help prevent this, bang loudly on the bonnet of your car before starting the engine.) Animals can also become disoriented and lost during storms.

• Never tie animals up or leave them confined in any way, as they will be trapped and may be unable to flee rising floodwaters.

• Have your animals microchipped, and put secure, legible ID tags on them.

• Keep an eye out for strays. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide them with food and water and call the RSPCA for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.

To everyone in flood-affected areas this week – stay safe! And thank you for helping animals to keep out of harm’s way, too.