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Emergency Preparedness

Guide Book

DISASTER PLANNING FOR LIVESTOCK    

     Disaster planning is as necessary to your livestock's survival as food and water are to good health.  This information is designed to give you, the livestock owner, a head start in this planning.

     Realize that the planning may not be the same for each type of disaster.  Fire and earthquake situations do not allow for much or any advanced warning, while floods and hurricanes usually allow sufficient time for some preparation and evacuation.

     Be aware of the hazards of barbed wire and replace it now before a frightened horse becomes entangled.  If you are in a fire area, clear brush and debris, make evacuation arrangement, locate alternate evacuation routes/trails.  In hurricane, tornado, earthquake areas mass destruction, flying debris, collapsing barns can pose major threats to the well being of our animals.  With ample warning, evacuation is the order of the day, without it you may need to consider letting animals run free and rely on their instincts to avoid the debris.

     Because our animals are important to us, because they are helpless without us, we owe it to them to learn from prior disasters, and to band together to prepare ourselves and our communities for the future.

Evacuation Decisions

     In a disaster situation, you may be faced with the need to:

• evacuate your horses/livestock, or

• maintain them under shelter at your facility, or

• to turn them loose to find their own way.

     Depending on the situation, the decision may be yours, or it may be mandated by the situation or emergency management personnel.

     The health and safety of your animals may be dependent on how well-prepared you are for these options in the event of an emergency.

If the Animals are to be Maintained Under Shelter in Your Facility:

• The facility will be capable of withstanding the situation.  (Hurricane, high winds, heavy snows, earthquakes, etc.)  If not, make necessary repairs to the facility or evacuate.  Be sure that the window and doors are fully functional for good closure of the building.

• You may be gone for an extended period - adequate water and hay must be available and accessible to animals at all times.

     In recent disasters one fact stood out, the lack of water presented the number one hazard to horses and livestock.

     Many animals can dehydrate very easily and require 15 to 30 gallons of water per day.

     Water can be stored in 55 gallon drums, keep enough on hand for a minimum of seven days.  Keep it fresh by changing it every three to six months.  If you are lucky enough to have a fresh water stream on your property you should be prepared to dam it up quickly to pool water for storage in an emergency.

     Extra water may have to be stored in the event there is no water supply available due to contamination or lack of electricity upon your return.

     All animals will need halters, collars, etc. with identification attached.

     Hay and feed left behind will have to be stored in such a manner that it will remain clean and dry.

     Remember that animals will need to be checked on daily.

If you are evacuating, preparations must be made as far in advance as possible to avoid stress to you and the animals

These preparations include:

• Know where you are going to be relocating your animals.

• If the decision is made to evacuate, you should call ahead to confirm availability of space and personnel to care for animals.

• You will need to listen to the Emergency Broadcasting System for possible road closings and alternate evacuation routes.

Complete the following checklist:

• Vehicle full of Gas/Oil

• Trailer Safe/Workable

• First Aid Kit packed

• Emergency Kit packed

• Adequate Hay/Grain/Water

Suggestions for the Contents of Your First Aid Kit and Emergency Kit Listed Below

• You must always ensure that you have a copy of testing and vaccination records and veterinarians' phone numbers with you.

• If you will be staying with your animals, be sure your needs are taken care of i.e. food, clothing, drinks, blankets, bedding, toilet items, etc.

Relocation Sites

• Check your animals into the relocation site according to established rules for maximum comfort and safety.

• Give adequate hay/grain/water and stay with them until calm or as long as practical.

• If you must leave the relocation site make sure the animals are safe and secure.  Leave adequate hay/feed and water depending on the length of stay anticipated.

• Check on your animals often or make arrangements for someone else to check on them.

Returning Home

     Before returning home with your animals you should use the following checklist to inspect you facility.

• Barn is structurally sound and debris free.

• Water supply is clean and not contaminated.

• Feed/hay supply is clean and dry.

• Fencing is in place and secure.

• Electricity is available and safe.

     When you are satisfied that the area is safe and secure it is important that you return your animals to familiar surroundings

First Aid Kit

Your first aid kit should contain some or all of the following items:

• Gauze pads (3 inch minimum)

• Non-stick pads (for protecting wrap)

• 2-4 Ace bandages (4 inch wide)

• Roll of 2 inch adhesive tape

• 1 lb. roll of cotton/ small box sanitary napkins

• Disposable diapers/ sheet cotton

• Roll black electrical tape (to hold ice packs, poultices, etc.)

• Cotton swabs (various sizes)

• Military compress bandages dressing

• Mild surgical soap

• Rubbing alcohol

• Nitrofurazone (salve, powder, spray)

• Epsom salts

• Saline solution

• Fly spray (seasonal)

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Iodine

• Mild liniment

• Desitin ointment

• Vaseline

Be Prepared With a Disaster Plan

     The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan.  If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets.  Being prepared can save their lives.

     Different disasters require different responses.  But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.

     In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too.

     Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse.  So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.

Have a Safe Place to Take Your Pets

     It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead.  Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species.  Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency.  Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies.  If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.

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