HURRICANE IRMA AND BUNNIES

[Nikki]

Hello everyone,

Fiona and I live in Saint Petersburg, FL. Strong Hurricane Irma is supposed to be hitting us head on tomorrow night into Monday. I have heard things about animals freaking out because the pressure drops, and I was wondering if anyone has been through a hurricane with their bun. OR if anyone has any tips I would really appreciate them. I have already packed her an emergency bag with plenty of food, hay, and treats. I am planning on moving her into the family room with the rest of the family and having her carrier on hand in case we need to hunker down. 

[jerseygirl]

Im sorry I don’t have much useful advice for you. Its definitely out of my realm of experience! I hope some other members have advice. There is another thread started by Starla about her preparations, if you care to read that.
I did read a post by someone on House Rabbit Society Florida FB page that Pinella county shelters are taking rabbits. I suggest you do verify that so you can plan for the pets if you are evacuated to a shelter.

Wishing you the best!

[Starla]

Ya, check out my post!! I plan on evacuating to my grandparents house. My buns aren’t bonded yet but I have a pop up pen that will work for my small male and an extra x pen that I can use for my female.

Hopefully it doesnt take up to much space, I’ll sleep in my large females x pen if i have too !
Need to find a room with no windows. Or hurricane shudders/boarded windows. If you don’t have one, evacuate to a shelter or a friends house that does. Make sure all interior doors are shut inside your house. It helps reduce the pressure inside you house.

Make sure you have enough hay for a few days (recommended week) on hand and possible more hay in a nearby area. Pellets and lots of water!!!! Also, try to have wet veggies on hand. If your rabbit feels stress, they may not drink as much water. Have babyfood, caned pumpkin, or critical care on hand with a syringe. I plan on bring all of the basic things in my emergency kit which I have a post about. I say basic, because of space and what I can move easier. I’m worried about stress related things like not eating. Also wound care for the buns & me!!. Blankets!! For you and to cover your buns area to make them feel more secure. Have bowls for water and pellets. I plan on giving my buns more pellets than usual during this all since they love them and if they won’t eat their hay but will eat their pellets. So be it for this storm. They can eat “unhealthy” during this because at least they are eating.

Also, make sure you have stuff for you!! I personally am more worried about food for my rabbit than myself because I doubt I’m going to eat a lot but I need to make sure that my buns keep eating. Luckily they probably don’t know what coming so they are as stressed as me right now. I have yet to eat today :/

If you do go to a shelter, I’m not sure about how much space you will have. So I wouldn’t bring a big x pen unless you know you will have room for it. That is something that is in question.

Best wishes!! I live in Sarasota, FL and it’s not looking to good. Although the weather is beautiful right now. Typical weather, one second its sunny, next second its storming.
Stay Safe!!

[Sara]

We evacuated Corpus Christi for Harvey just two weeks ago. Bun seemed very aware that something was happening even before we began packing. Although we were away from the coast during landfall, you could still tell that he sensed something was up. Luckily he never quit eating- did slow down a bit. Ate less pellets and hay, was extra cuddly/snuggle. Once we made it home a few days later and the system had moved off, he pretty much went back to normal. We are at least the 3rd owners of Bun, so luckily moving/travel doesn’t seem to cause too much anxiety.

Stay safe!

[Q8bunny]

Have experienced a hurricane in Florida, but not with buns. My bun has, however, experienced sandstorms of biblical proportions a couple of times, and while wind speeds were maybe a Category 2, the atmosphere was VERY uncomfortably charged even for me. He squeezed into a compact loaf under his favourite shelf, but continued to eat if food came to him. I can only imagine that your presence will help comfort them enough to accept nibbles when offered. Best of luck to you guys.

[Starla]

How is it in St. Petersburg? Our power already went out in Sarasota we are the 1 out 1300 homes without here. The winds are picking up and rain is off and on. Honestly not too bad as of right now! They didn’t set a curfew here but did in manatee county! People are still walking their dogs and some are still on the road. Wouldn’t say it’s unsafe to be outside right now.
Just ready for it to be over!! Want my power back!! It’s completely dark in my room because the window is boarded up!

[Author]

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