As Hurricane Irma barrels across parts of the Caribbean and heads toward Florida and the southeastern United States, Alley Cat Allies has provided disaster preparation tips to community cat caregivers and pet owners to help ensure the safety of cats in the powerful storm’s path.
Irma is currently ranked as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest rating possible, with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. Forecasters predict that the hurricane, which is moving toward Puerto Rico after passing over the Virgin Islands, could potentially make landfall in Florida this weekend, bringing damaging winds and dangerous flash flooding. The state’s governor has declared a state of emergency.
It’s not possible to bring community cats with you when evacuating from disasters. Do not attempt to trap and contain them. Community cats are instinctive, and their best chance at survival is to let them care for themselves. However, there are steps you can take to help community cats, and your pets, in case disaster strikes.
Our Disaster-Proofing a Community Cat Colony resource, along with our disaster preparation tips, will guide you in efforts to keep cats safe. Among the highlights:
- Make sure to have descriptions of your pets and the community cats you care for, along with photos. If you need to look for displaced cats in shelters or other rescue areas, this will help accurately identify them. Make sure all pet tags and animal microchips have up-to-date information.
- Enlist a backup caregiver who is responsible for the community cats in your absence, and network with other community cat caregivers in your area to create a safety net of care for the cats. You may be able to find other cat caregivers in your area through our Feral Friends Network. You can also reach out to our Feral Friends for help preparing community cats for a disaster or finding them after the danger has passed.
- Create an emergency contact card for your pets and community cat colonies. Include all contact information for your substitute caregiver. Carry this card in your wallet and your car, give copies to your backup caregiver, and post it somewhere visible in your home like on the refrigerator.
- Make a list of local shelters and their contact information. You will need this information in case you need their help or resources.
- Keep an emergency supply kit on hand and know where to find it quickly.
Hurricane Harvey recently showed us the destruction that natural disasters can cause, so we hope everyone will take steps to prepare. We hope that people and animals who may be affected by Hurricane Irma stay safe.