(WINNIPEG) - (July 23, 2008)

Residents in highly-susceptible tornado areas can quickly and easily increase the chances that their pets survive a tornado by following a few simple steps offered by The Winnipeg Humane Society.

Preparing now could save your pet's life

Preparing now could save your pet's life:

• Have pet supplies in the family's tornado-proof room or cellar – these items can be similar to those in your disaster/emergency kit (to learn what should be in an emergency kit visit getprepared.gc.ca)
• Food, water, and treats in sufficient quantities should your town/city’s infrastructure be diminished and you are unable to get to the store.
• Sanitation items, such as a litter box and litter or puppy pads, in case an excited or frighten pet has an accident
• Crates for a cat or a frightened dog to provide the animal with a cozy, secure hiding place to weather the storm
• Keep visible and current identification on pet at all times
• Practice getting the entire family to the tornado safe area during calm weather
• Train your dog to go to the area on command or to come to you on command regardless of distractions
• Learn how to quickly and safely secure your cat
• Know your pet's hiding places and how to safely extricate him/her
• Make your tornado safe area pet friendly
• Eliminate unsafe hiding areas that frightened cats may find
• Remove dangerous items such as tools or toxic products stored in the area
• Have family and pet disaster kits available should you need to evacuate the area due to heavy destruction

Facts (according to Environment Canada):

An average of 80 tornadoes are recorded each year in Canada.

Tornadoes most often occur in the afternoon and early evening.

Twisters are rare in winter, but May to September are the prime tornado months, with the peak season in June and early July. Most tornadoes occur in the afternoon and early evening.

Canada's "tornado alleys" are southern Ontario, Alberta, southeastern Quebec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones.

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