Tropical Storm Fay Reminds Us to Stock Up -- Prepare for Natural Disasters

It is Tropical Storm season in sunny Florida. Florida has recently experienced flooding conditions courtesy of Tropical Storm Fay, which perplexingly strengthened over land and thus flooded Super Cool Pets headquarters.

The rainfall was much more excessive than past hurricanes. The nearby nuclear power plant was shut down, orange groves are threatened and in our fair city, streets have become canals. One bright spot is that we have welcomed a new member to our (currently underwater) backyard bird sanctuary, perhaps a green Quaker Parrot.

Super Cool Pets featured a comprehensive Hurricane and Natural Disaster Pet Care guide for pet owners based on experiences with Hurricanes Gloria, Bob, Jeanne, Frances and Wilma. After this bout with Tropical Storm Fay, we have been forced out of our comfy routine one more time and feel compelled to stress a couple of tips for all our Super Cool Pet owners:

• Stock up on pet food -- Employees are people too. Stores may not be open due to impassable streets, store damage and no electricity. Supplies are finite if no deliveries are being made.
• Stock up on clean water -- The public water supply of the city immediately to our north is contaminated. Overflowing septic tanks and flooded city utility stations pollute surface ground water pets might drink. Learn how to disinfect contaminated water.
• Stock up on first aid and meds -- Stores may not be open or you can't get there from here.
• Stock up on paper goods -- Those pet bowls get awful dirty if you can't wash them because there is no running water, polluted water or a backed up septic or sewer system.
• Laundry -- Do it. May not be able to later.
• Stock up on clean towels -- Pets and floors get wet.
• Vacuum -- Pet hair and mud will abound. Better to start off clean.
• Critters abound -- Snakes, alligators, rats, spiders and all kinds of critters are out and about as their homes have been flooded and destroyed. Not good for our pets.
• Check your fences -- Storms destroy pet fences. Electrical fences are ineffective if the power is out.
• Pet ID -- Check your pets' tags or microchip them. See "fences" above.
• Check your birdfeeders for food and birdbaths for clean water -- Ours have been very busy (see above).
• Stock up on $$$ -- Cash is just as good as money. Stores are open, but they may not have electricity. ATM's and credit card machines may not be functional.
• Stock up on fuel -- For your generator or in case you must go.
• Equip your car with a cell phone charger -- It won't charge without a source of power.

Any more ideas?

Read More in: Birds | Cats | Dogs | Pet News

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• Play Gym for Small Birds -- Birdie Basketball and Training Gym at Drs. Foster and Smith - Oct 28, 2008
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• Embellish Your Yard with a Solar Birdbath and Fountain - Jul 03, 2008

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