When you create an emergency plan for your family do you include your livestock and pets? At the moment you must confront an emergency, you may discover there is no one to help you, you can’t find anything you need, what you have is broken or you can’t get to your supplies.
You must consider the worst possibilities: No water, power, gas, roads, communication and its dark outside. Therefore, you must focus on creating a plan that includes things you will need for at least 72 hours with the possibility of needing to have enough supplies for weeks.
In this article you will find ideas and tips to creating an emergency kit and plan so that you can be prepared before it is necessary. Unlimited ideas and suggestions can be found throughout the internet buy just searching “Emergency plan for animals” or animal specific. The ASPCA, Humane Society and Red Cross have many handouts available as well.
Your main goal during an emergency should be: If in doubt, get them out!
This includes family, pets and livestock. Do not wait until given a minimal time to leave your property. At the first sign of an impending danger, pack what you can and leave instead of waiting until you may only be given 5 to 10 minutes or less. If you leave, take your animals with you. Many times people have been told to leave for a “short time” only to find out that they cannot return for days or weeks.
Some items that are needed to evacuate animals: Crates, food, water, ID on animal and crate, trailers in safe and working condition, leashes, halters, lead ropes, pet identification card with photographs, medications for your animals, supply of water and food, first aid kit and supplies, bowls, buckets. Many of these items can be stored in a specific location in a storage tub for quick access. It is recommended to have enough supplies for two weeks. Complete lists are available online.
Things to consider in an emergency evacuation: Who will get you pets or livestock out if you are not home? Are pets locked inside (house, kennel, stall, and paddock)? Are the animals easy to catch and load? Will your animals respond and come to a neighbor or friend if frightened? Where will you go? If you must leave pets/livestock behind, make sure they have enough food and water and that they are in as safe an area as possible.
How to prepare your property for emergency access: Is your property well marked with address? Can emergency vehicles get equipment in to your property? Where are the nearest fire hydrants? Do you have an emergency back up generator for wells that have pumps? Have you cleared 100 feet around all structures? Remove or isolate and secure flammable materials. Keep vehicles and trailers well maintained and full of fuel.
Staying safe in an emergency: Animals have two major instincts when they are in jeopardy, which is fight or flight. Most predator animals (cats, dogs) will put up a fight when they feel threatened. Prey animals (horses, llamas, goats) will more likely run or try to get away when threatened. Therefore, you must take into consideration the natural instinct of your pet when handling them during an emergency situation. Animals will not act rationally under stressful conditions which may include smoke, fire, rain, high water, wind and earthquakes with aftershocks. Your last resort is to turn your livestock/animals loose. They could be injured or killed and they become a danger to emergency responders.
Wear proper clothing, gloves, boots and a protective helmet when handling animals especially during an emergency.
Practice your plan with family and neighbors: Being prepared is only the beginning to becoming ready for an emergency. Work on plans together, get to know your neighbors and share emergency contact information should you become separated from your home, family and pets. Help each other to create defensible space around homes. If you are not aware of pre-existing conditions, you will have even less time to respond.
Who can you contact for emergency preparedness help? There are many agencies that are available to assist with your planning. You can contact your local Fire Department, Cal Fire, Red Cross, Animal Care and Control, Humane Society, and various websites online.
In the event of a major disaster, many communities will be impacted by limited services. We all need to be individually responsible, remain self sufficient, and be able to provide our own personal and community self help.
NOTE: Due to limited volunteers, the San Benito Equine Evacuation Unit will not be available to transport livestock/animals. Please make arrangements as to who could help you remove your livestock/animals in an emergency. The unit will be focusing on public education and emergency preparedness.
If you would like to schedule an emergency preparedness presentation for your organization, neighborhood or homeowner’s association, please contact Jan Jensen at (831) 623-4322.
– Jan Jensen is coordinator of the San Benito County Equine Evacuation Unit