Evacuation & Rescue for at-risk Animals
Bird Adoption / Rescue
Thousands of animals / pets perished due to lack of preparation or assistance in disaster situations. Your actions now may prevent unnecessary suffering.
STATEWIDE EVACUATION PLAN FOR ANIMALS
It is recommended that you take your pets / animals with you if at all possible. Lifestock may be left, but some arrangements should be made to move them under certain conditions. Animal owners need to develop their evacuation plans before an emergency strikes. Identify individuals / groups who may be able to help you evacuate your animals / pets; and maybe foster them.
Should you be able to take your pets with you, you will need the following items:
- Carrying cages
- Any medications your pets are on
- Food / Water
- First aid supplies (hydrogen peroxide and a tranquilizer, if needed)
- Identification, either permanent or securely attached to the animal
- Medical and ownership records, including photographs
For detailed information on animal evacuation, contact the local animal control, humane shelter, or veterinarian. A toll-free number for a Public Information Phone System may be activated by the state Emergency Preparedness Division during an evacuation. The number will be announced early in an emergency evacuation and will connect callers with volunteers to answer specific animal evacuation questions.
- Review your property, checking for wind and rain protection, flood risk areas, security fencing or debris that could be blown by high winds.
- Maintain communication with at least one person who will know where you and your animals will be.
- Mark your animals with clear identification -- tags, microchips, tattoos, legbands or spray paint/permanent marker with your telephone number.
- Maintain permanent health and identification records in a safe place. Take them with you if you evacuate.
- Make an educated decision early as to whether you will take animals with you or prepare to leave them on the farm. Check with local veterinarians and local emergency management officials for help in this decision.
- Leave 48-72 hours of water and feed for animals left behind. Move livestock to the highest ground if you expect flooding or leave gates open from pastures and paddocks to the high ground so animals will not be trapped in low areas.
- Know who can transport animals if necessary and where they can be relocated during an emergency. Plan to leave early in an evacuation if you take animals. Do not get on the road late when high winds make it more dangerous for your travel and may place others in danger as well.
- Find out if anyone nearby has equipment that may be shared, such as trailers, generators, water tanks or portable pens. Have prior agreements with them for help or sharing.
Call your local veterinarian, humane society, animal control or County Emergency Management Office for information about emergency planning for you and your animals.
A toll-free number for a Public Information Phone System may be activated by the state Emergency Preparedness Division during an evacuation. The number will be announced early in an emergency evacuation and will connect callers with volunteers to answer specific animal evacuation questions.
- Take all pets with you in the event of evacuation. Realize that if you leave your pet, you may not be able to return for a number of days. This increases the chances of complications, such as an injured or lost pet, and increases the difficulties for emergency personnel who must come into the area for damage assessment or emergency rescue.
- Gather animals in your home or a secure area at the first warning of impending emergency. Gather needed materials and carriers to prepare for rapid evacuation.
- Make prior arrangements with friends, family or a pet-friendly hotel in your destination location. Red Cross shelters cannot accept animals. Make reservations early and leave early in the evacuation period.
- Find pet-friendly hotels and motels
- Contact people from the Animal Evacuations Group for helping with the evacuation and/or fostering your pet(s): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/animalrescueandevacuation to identify people able to evacuate your pets and / or foster homes. Some individuals may be able to provide you shelter as well. ... If you are not a member of this list, register and post to the list for assistance. The group moderator will focus on assisting with your safe evacuation.
- Find pet-friendly hotels and motels
- Be sure your pet has secure identification, either a collar and tag, or painted or waterproof marker of your phone number (include area code). Add name and address, if possible.
- Carry proof of ownership, photos, and medical records with you to help reunite you and your pet in case of extended separation.
Call your local veterinarian, humane society, animal control or County Emergency Management Office for more information about emergency planning for you and your animals.
A toll-free number for a Public Information Phone System may be activated by the state Emergency Preparedness Division during an evacuation. The number will be announced early in an emergency evacuation and will connect callers with volunteers to answer specific animal evacuation questions.
Adapted from: http://clemsonews.clemson.edu
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