How Should I Pre-plan for My Livestock?
How Should I Pre-plan for My Pets?
Low Cost Micro-chip Program for NC
ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline 877-474-3310
*courtesy NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine
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Ultimately, the sheltering and protection of pets and livestock are the responsibility of their owners.
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Pets and livestock deserve to be appropriately cared for even in a disaster situation. Make sure you plan to provide adequate safety and provisions for them so that everyone can be safe. We can help.
Emergency shelters, established to give people a safe place to go to during an impending disaster event, may now allow sheltering for family pets in addition to seeing-eye dogs. A national effort to include pets in disaster planning began after Hurricane Katrina. States are now encouraged to address this issue.
The number one reason reason people do not evacuate their homes in an emergency is because a pet is in the home and they don't want to leave the pet(s) behind. This attitude, while understandable, may put the family and the pet(s) in danger. According to a survey, 80% of households with pets were willing to take this risk, and indeed, would risk their lives for their pets.
North Carolina's disaster response plan includes guidelines for the sheltering of pets and the safety of individuals from pets and livestock that are unattended or unsecured and those posing a threat to citizens.
North Carolina policy on pets during an impending disaster is:
When disaster strikes, the American Humane Association takes responsibility for sheltering companion animals owned by evacuees admitted to American Red Cross shelters. Animals are either transported to AHA facilities or boarded in temporary structures adjacent to the ARC shelter, and operated by the AHA. The AHA will be responsible for ensuring the safe return of any animals sheltered.
Please note: Each county may establish their own Animal Protection Plan that would be more specific and appropriate for the county.
It is the responsibility of Emergency Management to make sure that the public knows about sheltering options. However, if a disaster strikes unexpectedly, the first priority is protection of people and then property. Pets are legally considered property. So, pet owners should pre-plan what they might do if government sheltering of their pet is not available.
The public should check the news media for information prior to an impending disaster for information on animal sheltering and assistance.
Pet owners should have a disaster response plan for pet(s) just as they should have a plan for their own safety and that of their family. Never leave your pet chained, tied, or otherwise secured inside a home.
First develop a family plan. Know what you will do should a disaster happen.
It is important to think about the types of disasters that are likely
to occur in North Carolina and to plan for each type. Your response
may be different.
If you decide to go to a shelter set up for the disaster, find out if a pet shelter will be open as well. The media will be a good source of information about the opening of shelters. Since the American Humane Association would be the lead agency for a pet shelter, they would also be a good source of information prior to a disaster. They offer a pet disaster planning checklist as well. Call 303-792-9900 extension 608 or link below.
If a pet goes with a family to a shelter, the pet may have to stay in the family vehicle or within it's cage outside the shelter if government sheltering is not yet available. Pet owners should prepare by bringing food, water, medicine, records of vaccinations, a toy, a bed, a leash, and a crate.
If
you go to a shelter and decide to leave your pet at home, you should
ensure the safety and well-being of your pet to the best of your
ability. However, this is the least desirable option. Please
take your pet with you. They will be more safe with you
than if left alone. Taking your pet with you will also mean one less
pet to rescue after the fact. For everyday use, ask your veterinarian
or fire department (order
online) how to obtain a sticker for your
home window to identify that your pet is inside. The ASPCA offers
a free sticker for this purpose.
Be sure your pet is up to date on his or her rabies and other shots. Get copies of the vaccination records to have on hand. Have a portable kennel available.
For specific information on how to prepare, click on any of the resources below. Preparation will keep both pets and pet owners safe during a disaster.
If you have a service animal, your animal will be allowed in public shelters. Call your local Emergency Management agency to determine if there are any county specific requirements. Planning is very similar to that for pets.
Part of North Carolina's disaster response plan concerning pets is to encourage pet owners to take their pet(s) to another unaffected part of the state and stay there until the disaster event is over. You are encouraged to try to arrange to stay with family or friends. If that is not possible, you are encouraged to find pet friendly lodging. There are a few websites that can help you find pet friendly lodging. Your Internet search engine can find more for you.
Understand that, if a disaster strikes unexpectedly, the first priority of Emergency Management is protection of people and then property.
North Carolina's disaster response plan does include guidelines for the sheltering of pets and the safety of individuals from pets and livestock that are unattended or unsecured and those posing a threat to citizens. However, people will be the first priority.
The American Humane Association offers these tips for planning for the safety of livestock and farm animals preceding a disaster event.
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Post emergency contact numbers at your barn or on your pasture fence.
Have sufficient transportation available for all your livestock or know where to obtain it. Train your livestock how to board the vehicles.
Create a list of neighbors within a 100-mile radius of your home who would be willing to board your livestock if you are forced to evacuate.
Form agreements with neighboring ranches and farms to help each other with disaster preparation and evacuations.
Know organizations in your area that are prepared to rescue and house displaced livestock.
Involve your family and neighbors in establishing an evacuation plan for animals in barns and outlying buildings.
Have a supply of feed at a separate location, which could be air-dropped if the animals become stranded.
Make up a kit with leads, halters, equine and bovine first aid kits, quieting hoods for easy transport, and water.
More information...
Emergency Management will work to coordinate resources to control disease and feeding of livestock and other farm animals in the event of a disaster. Should a senior have livestock or farm animals that they could not get to safety, they should notify shelter personnel, a local Emergency Management representative, or a SPCA representative as to the number involved, type, location, probable needs, etc.
Animal protection resources will be mobilized at both the state and county levels. The county will take on primary responsibility for assessing the situation and needs and determining what resources are needed to meet the needs identified.
Local Emergency Management personnel, the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), the Federal Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the Disaster Field Office (DFO) will all work together to identify and meet needs for animal safety and welfare.
Requests for animal protection assistance and resources such as food, medicine, shelter material, specialized personnel, and additional veterinary medical professionals, will be transmitted from the local Emergency Management office to the State Emergency Operations Center. Should the need for federal resources exist, the State Emergency Operations Center will coordinate requests for federal assistance. Federal assistance may include animal feed, veterinary support, water, medicine and other technical assistance and resources as needed.
Since there is no equivalent Emergency Support Function for animal protection under the Federal Response Plan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Coordination Center will be available for support through the USDA representative on the Federal Emergency Response Team.
Local
animal control personnel, SPCA or others will handle domestic
animals, livestock, and pets that are abandoned, lost, strayed, homeless
or otherwise in danger. Those
animals will be sheltered, fed, and returned to their owners,
if possible.
If it is not possible to return animals to their owners, these agencies have the authority to try to get the animals adopted, sell the animals, or use euthanasia as appropriate. Therefore, it is critical that pets wear up-to-date tags and that the owners check with the emergency shelters should they get separated from their pet accidentally. Many pets now have embedded microchips that could be used to locate owners. Pet owners might want to consider this option before a disaster occurs.
Should a pet shelter be opened, North Carolina wants you to know what to expect. Agreements, forms, and information are online for your convenience. Please note that, if a pet shelter is opened, it will probably be adjacent to the disaster shelter for people. It will not be the same shelter. Safety issues of various types might arise if people and pets are kept in the same shelter.
During a disaster event and immediately following an event, pets can get lost. They can become scared and bolt. If you are in an unfamiliar location, the pet may not be able to find a way back to you. If your pet has not been microchipped, it may be a challenge to match owner to pet. Microchipping is also available through your veterinarian.
The Humane Society of the US may have an online registration site for victims who have become separated from their pets. There will also be other online resources ready to help in the aftermath of a disaster.
The best plan remains to be prepared. Get your pet microchipped. Purchase a "temporary" tag that will allow you to put more detailed contact information on your pets collar. Keep your pet with you and watch for signs of distress or fear. Keep your pet crated if at all possible. Within the crate, keep a towel or blanket that smells like a family member and have a favorite toy or two there as well. This will help keep your pet calm. Pack a picture of your pet and your pet microchip information in your Disaster Suitcase.
The following was mentioned above but bears repeating:
Local animal control personnel, SPCA or others will handle domestic animals, livestock, and pets that are abandoned, lost, strayed, homeless or otherwise in danger. Those animals will be sheltered, fed, and returned to their owners, if possible.
If it is not possible to return animals to their owners, these agencies have the authority to try to get the animals adopted, sell the animals, or use euthanasia as appropriate. Therefore, it is critical that pets wear up-to-date tags and that the owners check with the emergency shelters should they get separated from their pet accidentally. Many pets now have embedded microchips that could be used to locate owners. Pet owners might want to consider this option before a disaster occurs.
If your pet does become lost, don't panic. Notify staff at any
disaster pet shelters, local pet shelters, and use online resources
to list your pet as missing. Post pictures and contact information.
Resources...
With past disasters in our area, agencies within North Carolina worked together to both shelter animals and to assist those who became displaced, hurt, or otherwise in need.
An animal shelter was set up at the state fairgrounds. The NCSU Vet School sheltered and treated displaced and injured animals. Veterinarians and vet school students volunteered.
However, during major disasters, the need is so great that community volunteers are also needed. Volunteers may be needed at the shelter or Vet School. Or, temporary foster "parents" may be needed in the aftermath of a disaster. Oftentimes, communication avenues are down and pet owners cannot be contacted. Or, the pet or livestock animal may not have been wearing identification.
Volunteers are needed to help the pets and livestock who depend on people to keep them safe.
Local Emergency Management, SPCA, Humane Society or Animal Humane Association personnel should be able to connect willing volunteers with opportunities. Or, call the Governor's Disaster Hotline.
North Carolina Governor's Toll-Free Disaster Hotline 1-888-835-9966 |
Additionally, donations are always needed to help defray the costs, especially for the injured animals needing care.
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