Disaster Preparedness

Preparedness for Pets, Animals, and Livestock

Our pets are important members of our families, and therefore it is essential that they are a part of our disaster plans. Disasters are a dangerous time for animals, as they are very in tune with their natural surroundings and will likely display erratic and distressed behavior during a disaster. Many animals end up lost or abandoned as they seek shelter themselves. It’s important to anticipate this behavior and be prepared to intervene with their instincts to run and hide so that you can keep them safe with you.

One of the most important things to do to prepare your pets for disaster is to get them microchipped. Microchips will help you reunite with your pet if separated during a disaster. If you are unsure if your pet is microchipped, ask your vet. Make sure the microchip is updated with your current name, number, and address.

Pet Disaster Preparedness, The Humane Society of the United States

Preparing your Pets

Preparing your Livestock and Farm Animals

Preparing your Pets for Disaster

Preparing your pets for disasters starts with your own personal planning. In the event of a major disaster, such as a tsunami, serious flood, or wildfire, you want to make sure that you have an evacuation plan for you and your pets. Most disaster shelters will not take pets due to limited space, allergens, and other health and safety factors. Therefore, it’s essential to plan where you will evacuate to, that will house both you and your animals before disaster strikes. This could be a designated relative or friend who is nearby, but out of the estimated path of the disaster. Also keep a list of pet friendly hotels within an hour or so of your home that you can reach out to if necessary.

Practice evacuating with your pet before a disaster strikes. You should practice grabbing them at random, putting them into their carrier or on leash, and leaving the house both on foot and by car. Ideally, you should practice going all the way to your designated evacuation site, but just practicing the act of leaving quickly and efficiently will be a benefit in the long run.

In addition to pet evacuation planning, you should account for your pets while building your disaster kit and go bag. Like your own personal disaster kit, you should strive to have at least 2 weeks’ worth of food, water, medicines, sanitary supplies, and other necessary materials. You’ll need:

  • at least .5 gallons of water per day per pet – a water dish
  • a food dish
  • kibble and treats for 2 weeks
  • crate or pet carrier
  • leash, collar, and ID tags
  • a comfort item for them, such as a favorite toy or blanket
  • cat litter and a bucket, litter box, or other kind of waste receptacle
  • trash bags/dog bags
  • an animal first aid kit
  • copies of essential documents, including veterinarian records
  • grooming supplies, in case fur gets matted during evacuation

Are you Pets Prepared for an Emergency, Animal Welfare Society

Pet Preparedness Kit, Linn County

Learn more about how to prepare your pet for disaster through the links below:

– https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/pet-preparedness-month-include-your-pets-in-emergency-plans.html

– https://www.ready.gov/pets

– https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/pet-disaster-preparedness

– https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness

– https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/public_works/general_services/animal_services/animals_in_disaster

    Preparing Livestock for a Disaster

    Horses, cows, chickens, pigs, and other livestock and farm animals are important parts of our families and livelihoods as well. Therefore, your disaster plan should incorporate your livestock and farm animals as well.

    Livestock and farm animals are often very in tune with their surroundings, and will likely move themselves to higher ground or seek shelter in the event of a disaster. It’s important that you have designed your land to allow for them to follow these instincts and get themselves to safety if needed. Some suggestions for making your property safer for your livestock during disaster are:

    • remove barbed wire fencing.
    • reroute fencing to allow for animals to have access to hill tops (during flooding) and lowlands (during high winds).
    • utilize sturdy, deep-rooted native plants in your landscaping as they are more resistant to local disasters than non-native plants.
    • reinforce your barn and any other buildings so that they are seismically sound and can withstand strong winds and shaking.
    • secure all items that could be blown or float away to limit hazardous debris.

    You should also make sure you have supplies to support your livestock and farm animals through a disaster. You should have at least two weeks worth of water, feed, medicine, and other essential supplies to care for all of your animals. Consider keeping an industrial container full of collected rain water, or other methods of storing large quantities of water. Your livestock disaster kit should also include information and photos of each animal, their veterinary records, and your contact information in case they get lost. Also include leads, harnesses, and other means of directing your animals, in case you need to help move them to safer ground. If you rely on electrical equipment for your animals’ wellbeing, consider getting a backup generator to utilize during power outages.

    If evacuation becomes necessary, you should begin evacuating your livestock right away; Do not wait for the Level 3 GO NOW evacuation notice, or it may be too late. You should be preparing your hitch to evacuate your animals when you reach a Level 2 Be Set evacuation notice. Most disaster shelters will not accept livestock (or any animals) for health and safety reasons, so have an evacuation plan that includes several locations that will accept you and your animals. These may be farms of friends or family or local fairgrounds. Reach out to Lane County Animal Services at 541-682-3645 or LCAS@lanecountyor.gov. for help in creating your livestock evacuation plan.

    If any animals are left behind during evacuation, call and report them to Lane County Animal Services.

    Visit the links below for more information about livestock and farm animal disaster preparedness: