Hurricane Ian has been making headlines over the last couple of days, the Category 4 storm leaving millions of people without power and damaging homes across Florida.
A lot of people (and their pets) have been able to evacuate and stay safe. However, some dogs have found themselves in a spot of bother. Fortunately, as we’ve seen during other storms before, people have been able to rescue a number of canines from danger.
Hurricane Heroes
Brian Entin, senior national correspondent at NewsNation, shared a video of somebody rescuing a dog from a sailboat in Fort Myers. In the footage, the man carries the dog through the marina. He puts him safely on solid ground, grabs the leash, and takes him across the street. He then goes back to the water to rescue a cat.
On their YouTube channel, fishing and boating website ReelReports shared a video in which they helped to rescue a blind dog who fell into the river. “As the only boat on the water, we approached the situation to see a small dog in the water clinging to the edge of seawall. With a strong incoming tide and virtually no water visibility, we had to act fast,” they explained in the video’s description.
Fortunately, the pup – Jane – wasn’t harmed and was helped to safety.
Over in Orlando, the Orange County Animal Services shelter has been posting a lot of TikToks showing their preparations for Hurricane Ian. They’ve got staff staying at the shelter overnight to make sure all 285 animals at the shelter are safe, and in the video clips can be seen petting and cuddling their four-legged friends.
Keeping Safe in Hurricane Season
We’re still firmly in hurricane season, so if you haven’t already it’s important to put together an emergency plan that involves your pets. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If a hurricane might be on the way, it’s important to keep up to date with the latest news, and ensure that your pets stay inside if a storm hits. Make sure you’re stocked up on food and medication if you end up stuck indoors with your pets, and that your dog’s microchips and identification are updated in case they do manage to escape.
