pets
Disaster Planning for Pets: Best Practices
By Kitty Yanko 10-7-15
Initial Response to Disaster:
Have contact list for initial responders “ include animal control, humane society, vet clinics, other agencies that would support rescue efforts. Start with the appointed lead animal agency for the county that the disaster occurs in and let them be first to make calls. Be sure to include approved volunteers to avoid problems with people showing up with the wrong skill set. Lead animal agency should work cooperatively with American Red Cross and other rescue agencies to access the needs of people and animals involved in the disaster.
Decide on location for animals and donations to be housed and collected. Of course it's best to have this location decided before the disaster hits, but either way, let the lead response team determine the best location based on space and appropriate areas for housing animals. Again, this should be discussed prior to the disaster for each county. (large, empty buildings with proper ventilation and heat or air if possible)
Middle Phase of Disaster:
Maintain and coordinate volunteers for direct care of animals if needed. Coordinate donations including what is needed and not needed, location for drop off of donations, storage, and distribution of donations to those in need. Direct people to one centralized web site or face book page for information on donations, drop off sites, and items most in need. Have someone checking web sites and face book page for comments, questions and other concerns. Remember that cash or gift cards are preferred over specific donated items which might be hard to use or not needed (ie; dog/cat food might not be type that can be used by victims) Create a list of people for victims to contact with questions. Keep contact information up to date and correct, and be prepared for turnover from staff and volunteers by keeping someone as a back-up or alternate for the agencies involved.
Long Term Phase of Disaster:
Be sure to keep the list of responders and other agencies that act as a resource up to date and complete with several contact names in the event that lead person leaves their position. Discuss what went well and what didn't go well for the next disaster and have key people meet when possible to keep up on any changes to the plan for responding to disaster and other important details like locations for housing animals if needed.