Animal Disaster Preparedness
The best way to protect your family
from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must
include your pets.
In the event of a disaster, if you must
evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to
evacuate them too. Leaving pets behind,
even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their
being injured, lost, or worse. Prepare
now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.
The beginning: Questions to address
- What kind of disasters will affect your
area?
- How can you prepare for them?
- Do you have any warning before them?
- Can you develop an evacuation plan?
- Who are the agencies that will be
involved in the event of a disaster?
- A good rule of thumb is to expect the
unexpected.
Most areas have more than one type of
disaster. Natural disasters include, but
are not limited to: snow storms, avalanches, lightning, floods/flash floods,
tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, earthquakes, mudslides, and fire. Other types of disaster include oil,
chemical, fuel, or sewage spills, which can be equally, or more
devastating. Animals react differently to
each disaster. Each disaster will
present unique challenges. Most animals will
panic, while some will turn to you for security. Toilet, eating, and other habits will
sometimes change for the worse, and physical problems such as obsessive
chewing, licking, or excessive shedding can be signs of high stress.
The next step is to determine what
types of actions you’ll need to take for the emergency. Have a safe place to take your pets. Disaster shelters cannot accept pets due to
health department regulations and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities
are the only animals allowed in shelters.
It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals
in a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not
wait for a disaster to do your research.
Here are some tips:
- Set up an appointment to talk with your
veterinarian about planning for your animals during disasters.
- Develop an evacuation plan for all of
your animals.
- Prearrange evacuation sites for your
family and your animals.
- Keep written directions to your home
near your telephone. This will help you
tell emergency responders how to get to your home if you are in a state of
panic and in need of rescue, or if a person unfamiliar with your area is the
only person in your home during a disaster.
- Identify alternate sources of food and
water. Some local food and water sources
may be disrupted or contaminated for extended periods of time following a
disaster.
- Keep all vehicles well maintained and
full of gas.
- Keep emergency cash on hand.
- Contact hotels and motels outside of
your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on
number, size, and species. Ask if “no
pet” policies could be waived in an emergency.
Keep a list of “pet friendly” places, including names and phone numbers,
with other disaster information and supplies.
If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for
reservations.
- Ask friends, relatives, or others
outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be
more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house them separately.
- Prepare a list of boarding facilities
and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour
phone numbers.
- Ask local animal shelters if they
provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring
for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so
this should be your last resort.
You may not be home when the evacuation
order comes. Find out if a trusted
neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged
location. This person should be
comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know
where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. It is suggested that you sign a letter that
releases your neighbor from responsibility should one of your animals become
injured and sign a veterinary medical treatment authorization form. If you use a pet sitting service, they may be
available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance. Planning and preparation will enable you to
evacuate with your pets quickly and safely.
But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Transport animals in carriers or securely
leashed. Don’t leave animals unattended
where they can run off. The most
trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite and scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets
time to settle back into their routines.
Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts
before a disaster strikes. Include
address and 24-hour contact numbers, if available. These contacts can be used by rescue
personnel responding to a disaster affecting your animals or by you during a disaster
or an evacuation. Keep one copy near
your telephone and one copy in your evacuation kit.
Some examples (add or remove based on
your needs):
- Numbers where you may be reached
(pager, cell phone, work phone).
- Your prearranged evacuation site(s).
- Local contact person in case of
emergency when you are not available.
- Neighbors (two or more. Consider doing a team plan).
- Out-of-state contact person in case the
disaster is far reaching in your locale.
- Your veterinarian.
- List of pet and feed stores.
- List of groomers.
- List of animal behavior consultants or
trainers.
- Hotels or motels that allow pets (30-90
miles away).
- Local animal control.
- Local police department.
- Local fire department.
- Local public health department.
- Local Red Cross chapter.
- Local Humane Society/SPCA/other animal
rescue groups.
- United States Dept. of Agriculture
Missing Pet Network (www.missingpet.net).
Assemble a portable pet disaster
supplies kit. Whether you are away from
home for a day or a week, you’ll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and place
and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (duffle bags,
covered trash cans, etc). Your pet
disaster supplies kit should include (change based on individual needs):
- Medications and medical records (stored
in a waterproof container) and a first aid kit.
- Sturdy carriers to transport pets
safely and ensure that your pets cannot escape.
If necessary, also include sturdy leashes and harnesses.
- Current photo of your pet in case they
get lost.
- Food, potable water, bowls, litter,
litter pan, and a can opener.
- Information on feeding schedules,
medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your
veterinarian in case you have -to foster or board your pets.
- Pet beds and toys, if easily
transportable.
- Seriously consider getting a microchip
for your pet.
- Favorite treats.
- Brush or comb (calms both you and your
pet).
- Deodorizer (for litter and surfaces).
- Remember, comfort is the key; under
stress, animals won’t want strange items or maybe any.
Know what to do as a disaster
approaches:
- Often, warnings are issued hours, even
days, in advance. At the first hint of
disaster, act to protect your pet.
- Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter
arrangements for you and your pets.
- Check to be sure your pet disaster
supplies are ready to take at a moments notice.
- Bring all pets into the house so that
you won’t have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
Having identification on your animals
including rabies and license tags, if applicable, will help reunite you and
your animal(s) in the event that you are separated. Identification should provide your name, home
address, a phone number where you can be reached, and an out-of-state phone
number of someone that you will be in contact with during or soon after the
disaster/evacuation. If possible,
include your veterinarian’s name, location, and phone number. Also be sure to have proof of ownership. Make copies of registration information,
adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information to store in the
evacuation kit. List each one of your
animals and their species/breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing
characteristics. Keep current
photographs (front/side views) of your animals in the evacuation kit for
identification purposes. Include
yourself in some of the photos to help reclaim your lost animal(s). Consider preparing laminated “lost pet” signs
with your animal’s photo attached, your name, and your contact information in
case your animal is lost.
Sources
American Red Cross—Animal Safety
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html
The American Veterinary Medical
Association Medical Assistance Team
www.avma.org/disaster/vmat/vmat.asp
Cyber Pet Animal Disaster Preparedness
(pt 1)
www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/general/artad1d.htm
Cyber Pet Animal Disaster Preparedness
(pt 2)
www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/general/artad2d.htm
Cyber Pet Animal Disaster Preparedness
(pt 3)
www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/general/artad3d.htm
Additional resource:
House Rabbit Society “Going to Ground
in
www.rabbit.org/journal/3-8/disaster-preparedness.html