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Animal Emergency Preparedness
In an emergency, a well thought out, and
practiced plan for your pets or farm
animals will not only reduce your
stress, but also save precious time and
lives. It has been repeatedly shown
that in an emergency people often resist
official evacuation instructions, out of
concern for their pets. Failure to plan
for animals will put the animals and
owners at a significantly higher risk of
injury or death.
Below are recommendations to help keep
you and your pets calm during an
emergency. Use extreme caution when
handling animals in an emergency.
They
are sensitive to sever weather and to
stress, and will act unpredictably.
Remember that only service animals will
be allowed into emergency shelters.
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Be sure that all animals have an
identification tag/collar/halter that is
worn at all times. Phone numbers can be
written directly on collars and halters.
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Post phone numbers of boarding
facilities and veterinarians, including
24 hour phone numbers on your Emergency
Phone List and Wallet Card.
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Keep your pet's vaccinations up to date,
and keep records to prove it with you if
you must evacuate.
Household Pets in Disaster
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Find local hotels and motels that allow
pets and where pet boarding facilities
are. Include some that are out of your
area, in case the local ones have been
closed or evacuated.
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Keep a current photo of your pet with
you, in case you get separated from your
pet.
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Make sure you have a secure pet carrier
and/or leash for each pet. They will
need to be restrained during a tense
situation.
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Assemble a disaster kit for your pet.
Items you may include:
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3 day supply of food, water, and
medications
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Feeding and care information
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Written description of behavioral
problems and helpful hints
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Copy of Veterinary records
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Bedding, or a rug
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Liter box and litter, newspaper for
caged animals
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Can opener, food dish
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Pet first aid kit
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Plastic bags for clean up
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Treats or toys if space permits
Place these items in a duffle bag, back
pack, or waterproof container that is
easily transportable. Provide the kit
to whomever will assume responsibility
for your pet during a disaster.
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Train your pet to enter its carrier at
your command. Do this by placing your
pet's favorite treat in the carrier, and
by ringing a bell at the same time.
Repeat this process every day until the
animal goes in the carrier at the sound
of the bell. Continue this training
periodically. This training will be
extremely helpful in finding and
securing scared animals.
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Birds should be transported in a secure
travel cage or carrier. In cold
weather, wrap a blanket over the carrier
and warm up the car before placing birds
inside. During warm weather, carry a
small spray bottle to mist into the
bird's feathers periodically.
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Do not put water inside the carrier
during transport. Provide a few slices
of fruit or vegetables with high water
content.
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Once at the shelter, do not let birds
out of the cage or carrier.
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Snakes can be transported in a
pillowcase, but they must be put in a
secure housing when they reach the
evacuation site. If your snake requires
frequent feedings, carry food with you.
Take a bowl large enough for soaking as
well as a heating pad.
Lizards, Tarantulas, Turtles (dry)
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Usually not necessary to evacuate or
shelter during a short-term situation.
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If they must be evacuated, these pets
are best sheltered with friends or
relatives.
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If left behind during an evacuation,
check and change water upon return.
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If evacuated, net fish into Ziploc bags
filled with aquarium water, bring food.
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Prepare an evacuation plan. Determine
your primary and secondary route, and
destination. Be sure that the
destination has sufficient capacity to
handle (or to obtain) the feed, housing
and medical needs of your animals.
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Keep vaccinations, testing and records
up to date-and be sure to take them with
you.
For
example: horses require a negative
Coggins test, cattle must have Brucella
certification or testing and
Tuberculosis certification.
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Train animals to load into trailers.
If evacuation of the animals is not
possible, the nature of the disaster
will determine the best course of
action. In a nuclear, chemical or
biological release, some amount of
shielding can be provided if the animals
are inside. In severe weather, or
forest fire, it may be better for the
animals to be out of the buildings.
If animals are to be released, or may
escape, be sure that every animal has
identification securely attached. Be
sure to leave a large open container of
water that cannot be toppled over. Do
not tie or cage your animal, as the
chances for survival are greater if they
can move around. Post a highly visible
sign in a window to let rescuers know
how many animals were left behind.
Leave food in timed feeders if possible.
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Greenup County Health Department
