Are you and your feathered friends prepared for a natural disaster?

[Dewfield]

Hello All!
Well, it's May here in Middle Tennessee! Just on the eastern edge of "tornado alley". Needless to say, it's a very stressful time of year in this part of the country.
We relocated here from California about a year and a half ago. Our kids (birds,cats,ball python & tarantulas) have felt their share of earthquakes but this whole business of sirens going off and stuffing all the kids into a walk in closet is pretty crazy.
We do have an emergency plan in place though!
Travel cages for the birds are stacked in the corner of the bird room. Cat carriers are stacked in the office. There is a pillowcase to temporarily house the snake and a backpack pre loaded with bottled water, bird food, cat food, first aid kit, etc.
When the warnings go off!
1. Birds in small cages to spare bathroom ( interior)
2. Cats in carriers to walk in closet (interior)
3. Snake in bag to same closet
4. Spiders and dart frogs to kitchen pantry
5. Grab backpack and wife to closet with cats, me to bath with birds
6. Hold on tight!!!!!
We have practiced this scenario several times and had to actually do it once. Luckily nothing came with the warning.
Does anybody else have a plan in case it "Hits The Fan"?

 

[gracebowen]

I would suggest a bag for your wife too. I would also include some people food.

 

[Dewfield]

I would suggest a bag for your wife too. I would also include some people food.

We keep granola bars and other stuff in the backpack. A second bag in case we were to get separated is a good idea! Thank you for that!

 

[LaurenB]

Sounds like you're very prepared!

I live in a relatively mild (weather related) area. Every once in awhile there are tornado warnings but (knock on wood) never actually had one.

I have two travel cages each of the birds will go in. Then I will take them (and all 6 cats ) into the basement. The steps are sectioned off with a door at the top and a door at the bottom so the bird cages can go in the hallway of the steps. Don't need to have cats trying to eat the birds while we're all hunkered down.

When I had my parakeets and they weren't tame enough to transfer easily into a travel cage, I would just wheel their cage into the walk-in closet in their room and close the door.

The immortal carnival goldfish are on their own

 

[Dewfield]

Sounds like you have a plan also. We are currently in a rental house without a basement. We will by buying within the next year. Most homes in TN don't have basements but we will surely have a storm shelter built!

 

[Doublete]

�� thank goodness I don't live anywhere like THAT
2 dogs, 10 cats, 3 birds and just me?!? I would be in trouble.

 

[Scott]

Well, you've moved from the Land of Shake and Bake to an area with an entirely different threat! Seems as though you are as best prepared as possible until you have your own home.

There are no known extreme earthquake faults in my area of SoCal, so I judge fire to be the most significant natural disaster threat. Consequently, mobility is critical, so I have a dedicated 15 passenger van with all but one row of rear seats removed. Forward section is for the 3 dogs while the aft area is for 10 parrots. A very large bin contains several gallons of water, seed, pellets, dog food, spare newspaper, first aid supplies, clip-on bowls for the carriers, etc. A carrier for each parrot is located near their housing area on the theory time to evacuate may be critical.

I actually had to evacuate once from my old location, and with roughly 12 hours notice the plan worked very well. While my current location is far safer from fires, I could not in good conscious ever give up the van!

 

[Bandespresso]

I would suggest a bag for your wife too. I would also include some people food.

When I first read this I thought you were joking around and meant put her in a bag like the snake. I need to get some sleep! :54: