How to prepare cats and dogs for hurricanes and other climate disasters [Video]

As coastal residents nervously await the first storms of what is expected to be one of the most active and potentially dangerous Atlantic Hurricane seasons on record, authorities are urging households to plan ahead.

That includes planning for the country’s record number of pets.

“Pets are part of the family, so it’s critical to include them in your hurricane preparedness plans,” said Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba, a veterinarian and pet industry consultant in a press release. “Having the right supplies and identifying safe shelters ahead of time can make a huge difference for your pets’ well-being during a hurricane.”

When major climate disasters hit, as they are predicted to do more often, the highest number of casualties are often pets, usually cats and dogs. It’s believed as many as 250,000 petsbecame stranded during Hurricane Katrina as New Orleans was taken by surprise by an unprecedented storm surge and extreme flooding, exposing poor warning systems, …