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                   Disaster Planning
                           

The Preparedness section of the Division of Animal Control is to help you and your pet(s) prepare for an emergency situation.
It will help familiarize you with supplies you should have on hand, with precautions you should take in your home and on your
property, and with other areas of concern you may have inadvertently overlooked.
If you have any questions or concerns about something we have not covered, please feel free to contact the Webmaster
and bring them to our attention. We will do our best to research these concerns or unique situations, and update our web
pages accordingly.

Preparing Your Pets Before a Disaster Strikes

Dogs and Cats

• Make sure your pet is current on all inoculations and is wearing proper identifying tags: Rabies tag, tag with owner's
  name, address and phone number.
  
• Keep a leash handy.
  
• If your dog normally wears a "choker" collar, have a leather or nylon collar on hand if you have to leave him alone
  for several days.
  
• Obtain a pet carrier or crate in which your pet can stand and turn around.
  
• When assembling emergency supplies for your household, include items needed for your pet:
         1)    Extra dry food. Store food in sturdy airtight containers.
         2)    Kitty litter if you own a cat.
         3)    A large capacity self-feeder and water dispenser.
         4)    Extra medications your pet may require.
  
• If your pet is on a special diet and / or medication, check with your vet as to what you should do in case you have
  to leave it alone for several day.
  
• If you plan to go to a public shelter, make prior arrangements for your pet(s) with a kennel, animal clinic, friends,
  or relatives outside the evacuation area.   Your pets are not allowed in Evacuation Shelters!
  
• "Trained Guide Dogs" in most states, will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Check with
  your local emergency management officials for more information.
  
• If you plan to evacuate to a hotel or motel, check in advance whether your pet (s) will be welcome.
  
• If you evacuate without your pet, bring your pet(s) indoors to a prepared safety area. (Do not leave pets tied
  up outside). Use only dry foods and leave in sturdy containers. Leave plenty of drinking water.
  
• Keep animals separated. Never leave a cat and dog in the same room, even if they are friendly. The anxiety of
  an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally.
  

• Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
  

    Birds

• The care of birds in disaster situations require special consideration. Listed below are some recommendations.
  Determine if your birds need a continuous supply of power. Purchase a generator to meet your facilities' needs.
  Make sure your generator is in good running condition by starting it monthly.
  

• Make sure you have a sufficient water supply. Large water containers with chlorinated water (10 drops of
  chlorine bleach to each gallon of water) can be used to store water that prohibits bacterial growth. Store water
  away from sunlight.
  

• Aviaries should be equipped with an overhead sprinkler system. This will be very important to minimize smoke
  inhalation, cool the air and reduce the chance of burn injuries.
  

• Aviculturists should have enough carriers on hand to evacuate all birds. Many birds will run into their nest boxes
  during a crisis. Nest boxes should be equipped with quick-release latches and a hinge-type cover over the
  entrance to enable you to remove the nest box and use it as a pet carrier. Flights should be constructed with
  easy access into and out of them.
  

• Birds often require specialty foods. Make sure you know what these are and where you can get them. Although
  surplus food can often be refrigerated, this may not be possible in a disaster, when the power supply is out.
  Birds should be tested and free of psittacosis and tuberculosis. These are serious diseases and are transmissible
  to many other animals and people.
  

• Do not leave your birds where they can be exposed to fumes from fires or chemicals. Birds are sensitive to
  smoke and fumes and succumb quicker to smoke than most other animals.

  Disaster Kit Checklist For Your Pet
          [ ] Your written family / pet disaster plan
          [ ] Crate / carrier and bedding
          [ ] Food, water, manual can opener and dishes
          [ ] Plastic bags, paper towels, newspaper (when shredded, can be used as cat litter)
          [ ] Cleaning supplies, disinfectants
          [ ] Collar, leash, harness
          [ ] Muzzle, gauze rolls
          [ ] Identification tags
          [ ] Current medical and vaccination records
          [ ] Extra bottles of daily medications or copies of prescriptions with current expiration dates
          [ ] Current photos of you and your pet(s) together
          [ ] Pet comfort items: towels, blankets, toys
          [ ] A list of hotels, motels and boarding kennels that accept pets
          [ ] Detailed instructions for animal care and rescue workers
          [ ] First aid kit for your pet(s)
          [ ] Flashlights, batteries
          [ ] Flat tire repair kit
          [ ] Out-of-state telephone contact number
          [ ] Label all pet supplies with your name, address and telephone number