Saving Animals After Tornadoes

The Super Outbreak of 2011 was a series of more than 300 powerful tornadoes that struck in 15 different states over several days in April of 2011. One of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history, the tornado outbreak killed more than 340 people and flattened thousands of buildings. Many pets, farm animals, and wild animals were injured or left stranded without food or water. Could rescue workers save the animals and reunite pets with their owners? In Saving Animals After Tornadoes, kids will discover the inspiring stories of rescue organizations like the Alabama Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, whose volunteers brought injured pets to animal shelters for veterinary care, and the Alabama Wildlife Center, whose rescue teams saved baby birds with broken wings and damaged feathers. 

When tornadoes tear through communities, the devastation extends far beyond damaged buildings and uprooted trees. Saving Animals After Tornadoes opens readers’ eyes to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of natural disasters: the countless animals that suffer injuries and displacement when these powerful storms strike. 

While most people understand that tornadoes destroy homes and property, this book reveals how wildlife and pets become casualties too. Dogs, cats, baby birds, deer, horses, and even ferrets face serious injuries during these catastrophic events. The book emphasizes that these vulnerable animals require immediate assistance, and fortunately, dedicated volunteers, rescue organizations, and veterinarians step up to provide life-saving care. 

Saving Animals After Tornadoes captivates readers through its thoughtful design. Each page features a striking photograph paired with a text box containing a bold headline and one concise paragraph. Blue circles highlight fascinating facts, while descriptive captions provide additional context. The book doesn’t shy away from showing the reality of injured animals alongside heartwarming rescue stories, creating a balanced perspective on disaster response. 

The book concludes with valuable reference materials, including a list of animals most vulnerable to tornadoes, accounts of famous tornado events and rescues, and a helpful glossary. Important vocabulary terms appear in bold throughout the text, making complex concepts accessible to readers. 

The book presents a startling statistic: scientists cannot fully explain why the United States experiences most of the world’s tornadoes, with approximately 1,300 striking the country annually. However, when disaster strikes, people and search-and-rescue dogs work together to help find survivors. Despite this sobering reality, Saving Animals After Tornadoes maintains an optimistic tone by celebrating the countless individuals who dedicate themselves to helping both animals and people affected by natural disasters. Older readers who want to learn more about how search-and-rescue dogs help people should read Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World by Nancy F. Castaldo. 

Sexual Content  

• None

Violence  

• The book includes photographs and descriptions of the destruction caused by tornadoes. For example, in the Super Outbreak of 2011, “more than 340 people were killed by the storm.” 

• Baby birds are often injured during a tornado because “most types of birds cannot fly until they are a few weeks old. As a result, baby birds are not able to move to safety if they see tornadoes coming.” 

• A huge tornado hit Joplin, Missouri. “The storm flattened entire neighborhoods, killing more than 100 people.” 

• A tornado destroyed a barn. A couple learned the barn “had been turned into a heap of cracked lumber. . . They soon found one of their horses, Cajun, but he was bleeding badly.” The horse had an operation to remove wood splinters from its leg. 

• Mason, a dog, was lost during a tornado. When he finally made it back home, he had to have an operation. Doctors “had to put two metal plates and 17 screws in Mason’s legs to help them heal.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content  

• None