The destructive tornados in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Kansas are reminders that disaster can strike anywhere. The U.S. averages 1,000 tornados each year. And while we tend to think of tornados as a weather phenomenon of the Midwest, they have been recorded in every state. This year, although only half over, is already the deadliest tornado year in the U. S. since 1998 and seems on track to break the record for the number of tornados in a year.

By their very nature, tornados come at us fast and furiously and often with little notice. Consequently the only way to safeguard your family pet is to be prepared before a tornado strikes. Take action now, our companion animals depend on us for their survival.

Prepare in advance. Keep pet supplies in a tornado-proof room or cellar. For example: Food, water, and treats in sufficient quantities. Sanitation items i.e. litter box, litter or puppy pads. Crates for a cat or frightened dog to provide your pet with a cozy, secure hiding place to weather the storm.

Practice getting your family and pets to the safe area. Train your dog to go to the safe area on command. Learn how to quickly and safely secure your pet. Know your pet's hiding places and how to safely extricate them.

Make your tornado safe area pet friendly. Eliminate unsafe areas where cats may try to hide. Remove dangerous items such as tools or toxic products stored in the area.

Identify your pet If your pet gets lost, his identification is his ticket home. Your options include: collar tags imprinted with your pet's name, your name and phone number; a tattoo with an identification number i.e. your social security number; a GPS tracking device attached to your pet's collar; or a microchip. Microchips provide identification that is permanent and uses a unique number that cannot be altered. Approximately 1.5 million dogs and cats now have microchips.

Use pet rescue window stickers Attach pet rescue stickers on prominent windows in your home. If a disaster strikes when you're not home, the stickers will alert rescue workers that pets are inside. Be sure the stickers are visible to rescue workers and include the types and number of pets in your household. If you and your pets evacuate (and time permits) write "Evacuated" across the stickers.

Heavy rains and flooding often follow tornados so be prepared to evacuate with your pet if that becomes necessary.