Department of Public Safety

What will you do with your pet in the event of a large scale emergency or disaster?  Have you made plans for your livestock?  Are you aware that public shelters provide no areas for pets.  So what do you do?  Here is some suggestions.

FOR PETS THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED:

Obtain a pet carrier for each pet in which your pet can stand and turn around. Include a favorite toy or blanket and a cover sheet to place over the carrier to help the pet feel more secure.
Train your pet to use the carrier.
Insure that your pet is currently vaccinated and wearing identification (consider "the chip").
Place a good friend's information on your pet, as well, in case you and your pet are separated during the event.
Make and include copies of vaccination records.
Make a list of friends, kennels, and hotels in the area that will accept you and your pet if you must evacuate.
Prepare a pet survival kit - include:
Copies of vaccination records.
Recent photo of your pet, preferably with you in it.
Your list of friends, etc. Any medications for your pet.
A favorite toy.
Favorite food, preferably dry, and bottled water.
Bowls for food and water.
For cats - litter, pan/box, and scoop. For dogs - newspaper and garbage bags.
In the aftermath of a major disaster, sterilized pets are easier to handle - spay or neuter your pet, unless you are a professional breeder.

REMEMBER - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. PLAN FOR THEM NOW.

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FOR LIVESTOCK THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED:

Fill every available vessel with water. If the electricity is out the water pumps won't work.
Do not keep livestock in the barn. Instead, turn them out in an open field with access to water. If your barn collapses, your animals have no way to escape. Debris injuries which they might suffer outdoors are often severe but treatable.

Keep branches trimmed off fences. Damage to fences not only allows livestock to escape, but causes debris, such as broken tangled wire and broken boards, which can inflict severe injuries. Reinforced woven wire fences are the safest. Think debris! Secure everything possible such as signs, outdoor furniture, etc. Buy mobile home tie-downs for your vehicles, move them to an open area and tie them down.

Stock up on feed - at least two weeks supply - and medications. Place feed in waterproof containers.
Place first aid supplies in a container and keep it with you.
Place some type of identification on livestock. Plastic neck collars with information written with permanent marker are great. Photographs are an excellent source of additional identification. Keep these with you if you evacuate.

Shut off main electrical breakers and close gas and water valves. Unplug appliances. If you have propane gas, tie the tanks down with mobile home ties. Close all barn/stall doors. Open all interior pasture gates. Gas up all of your vehicles and get a supply of cash. After the storm, many gas stations and banks will be closed.  Many transactions will have to be made in cash.

THE SAFEST PLACE FOR LARGE ANIMALS TO WEATHER A STORM IS IN A LARGE PASTURE.

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LONG RANGE DISASTER PLANNING.

Woven wire is clearly safest. Animals are less likely to get caught and tangled in it. It acts as a net, stopping debris, and in many cases fallen trees don't even take it down. If you use board fencing, reinforce it with woven wire. Avoid barbed wire which is easily torn down and cuts your livestock if they get tangled in it. Make sure your fences are placed to keep your animals away from power lines. Each May replace rotten fence poles. Every year photograph your animals. Make sure your insurance coverage is adequate. Vaccinate your livestock and make copies of the records. Having a well-built barn keeps it from becoming debris. Install hurricane strapping to the roof. A simple, well strapped, open pole barn with a flat, properly secured metal roof or a hurricane reinforced concrete barn are least likely to blow down.