Siamese Cat Reunites with Tulsa Family After Their Home Was Destroyed By a Tornado
When the horrible storms tore through parts of the Midwest earlier this week one of the hardest hit areas was Barnsdall, a small town about 40 miles north of Tulsa, Oklahoma. As the tornado sirens went off a lot of families had to flee to local storm shelters, leaving their beloved pets behind.
One resident Lindsay Crowder and her family went to a storm shelter and when they returned home, their house was destroyed and their beloved cat Pikachu was missing.
Local station KJRH was covering the story when Lindsay was calling her cat and it crawled out of the rubble. They report, "2 News was there as Lindsay began calling out to Pikachu, who was miraculously discovered underneath the rubble alive.
For a small moment in time, the sadness lifted as she came out and into Lindsay’s waiting arms.
“I’m so happy right now. This is just a house. We can’t replace her, and we can’t replace our kids," she said. "We can’t replace the people and things that mean so much.”
Related: Cats Intently Exploring the Closet During a Tornado Are Full of Unbothered Energy
What an absolute miracle. I'm so sorry for all the houses that were destroyed during the storm, including the Crowder family home, but so happy they were reunited with their beloved cat.
Tornados are so scary, but there are some steps pet owners can take to try and be prepared as much as possible.
How To Protect Your Pets During Tornado Season
One of the very best things you can do before tornado season even hits is to have your pet microchipped with your phone and address updated so that if you are separated during a storm and your pet is found, you will be contacted right away. Also make sure your pet is wearing a collar with your contact information on it.
In addition to all your own personal papers, it's a good idea to keep a copy of your pet's vet records and vaccinations in case they are needed.
Keep a kennel or carrier within easy access so you can pack them into it in case you need to seek shelter away from home.
Pack your pet their very own go-bag with dishes for water and food, a small supply of food, any medications they take, comfort items like a blanket and favorite toy, and an extra collar, leash, or harness. Treats and waste bags are also a good idea.
The Animal Medical Center says, "During a tornado, it is essential to keep your pets indoors and away from windows, as flying debris can be extremely dangerous. If you are sheltering in place, ensure that your home is secure and that your pets cannot escape through open windows, doors, or other openings. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you and make sure they are secured in a carrier or on a leash."
Sirens and bad weather can upset some pets, so while you are sheltering in place make sure you give them lots of affection and speak to them in a reassuring, calm voice.
After the storm be careful about broken glass, debris and downed power lines, and keep your pet on a leash or in their carrier until you can move them to a safe area.
The Humane Society of Tulsa shared the following update to their Facebook page:
If you would like to donate or volunteer at the Tulsa Humane Society to help all the pets affected by these awful storms, you can visit their website here.
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