According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 58.9 percent of
all U.S. households own animals. While the care of animals in disaster
should never take precedence over the care of people, they must not be
forgotten.
When preparing for a potential emergency, don’t forget to consider pets and
livestock. Here are some ideas for preparing to protect your animals
during a disaster:
- Talk to your veterinarian about evacuation and
emergency care for your animals.
-
Identify
an emergency animal shelter location nearby: kennels, adjoining farms,
state and local fairgrounds, etc.
- Get to know the policies and staff of your local
animal control authority, as well as the local animal nonprofit rescue and
care groups.
-
Ask
neighbors and friends to evacuate your animals if a disaster strikes when
you are away.
- License your pets and companion animals; make sure
your animals can be easily identified so they can be reunited with you
after the disaster; and keep all vaccinations current.
- Take pictures of you with your animals to show
proof of ownership in case you are separated.
- Have a copy of medical records for your animals on
hand.
- Prepare an evacuation plan for livestock. Your plan
should include a list of resources such as trucks, trailers, pasture
and/or feed which might be needed in an evacuation, as well as a
designated person who will unlock gates and doors and make your farm,
ranch or other facility easily accessible to emergency personnel. Make
sure everyone who lives, works or boards at your barn is familiar with the
plan.
- If you must leave animals behind, post a highly
visible sign (either on a window or a door) letting rescue workers know
the breed and number of animals that remain. Leave plenty of food and
water.
- If your animal becomes lost, immediately call or
visit the nearest animal shelter or emergency post.
-
If
you find a lost animal, notify the local animal shelter as soon as
possible and be prepared to give a full description of the animal (i.e.,
color, breed, sex) and its location.
For more information on animal preparedness, visit:
American
Veterinary Medical Association
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