Disaster Response and Pets
As individuals, government leaders, animal rescue organizations, and first responders, we can better meet the needs of our citizens when responding to natural disasters when we also meet the needs of their companion animals.
What happens to our pets after a disaster?
The welfare of our animals during and after a disaster comes down to our community preparedness. The images and stories from Hurricane Katrina brought awareness to our collective consciousness about what happens when we don’t consider animals in our emergency response- animals left behind and needing rescue because they were not allowed in shelter with their families, disease spread, starvation, and more. Today, more emergency shelters allow humans to bring their pets. Organizations like the ASPCA and HSUS, with their volunteer partners, will run special emergency animal shelters to care for pets separated from their families or abandoned. For those animals who have lost their families or needed to be surrendered due to loss of homes and financial resources, there is a rescue network that can send animals to shelters in other geographical locations for adoptions. So what else can we do to be prepared?
A post from WeRateDogs about Zeus, whose crate saved his life.
https://www.instagram.com/weratedogs/p/C6ed7X4vvre/?hl=en
As an individual:
Training! Have your animal crate trained so they can be secured during an adverse weather event. This can make your evacuation faster, and many animals feel a sense of calm in a secure safe space. Your animal can likely sense bad weather on the way, as well as fear, which may increase their chances of running to find safety.
Emergency kits. Make sure that you have food, water, and an animal specific first aid kit available to care for your dog after the climate event, on the road, or in a shelter. This one from the Pet Emergency Education has everything you could need.
Mobility. Make a plan for how you can move with your pet. If you have access to a vehicle, ensure you have safety restraints or a crate for your animals. If you will have to move on foot, consider a sling like the Fido Pro to keep on hand in case your animal gets injured. Know where your leashes and harnesses are so you can be ready to grab them.
Education. Anyone can take FEMA and ASPCA classes on caring for animals in disasters. They are online and free. Not only will they help you better understand how to be prepared, they can also train you as a future volunteer to provide aid after disasters.
Additional Resources:
ASPCA Disaster Preparedness tips
Government and Public Sector:
Provide for animals in public emergency shelters. Partner with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to be able to quickly mobilize to care for animals when they arrive, even with their families. Have crates on hand and put out a call for animal care volunteers. Have a plan to keep animals separate from one another to ensure safety, limit disease spread, and minimize contact with humans who are not family or volunteers. Be ready to ask for veterinarian assistance if you cannot have them on hand.
Do your community emergency preparedness plans include animals? How will you deal with stray, injured, sick, or deceased companion animals post-disaster? Be sure you are aligned with local rescues and shelters to identify who is responsible for animal pickup, care, and reunification with families when possible. Have a specific location already identified for temporary animal sheltering. If you have an emergency community food bank, include pet food, and be prepared to ask for pet food when soliciting donations.
Education. If your community has Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) or Neighborhood Emergency Training (NET), include the FEMA and ASPCA courses on Animals in Disasters. FEMA Course ID IS.00010a: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness, ASPCA Field Investigations and Response course 1,2, 4 and 6.