How to Care For Pets and Livestock in an Emergency

Severe weather, fires, and floods can impact pets and livestock as well as families. Many people will not leave their homes in an emergency if they can’t take their pets with them. With a few simple steps and planning can help you prepare to protect your animals in a disaster.

þ Assemble an animal evacuation kit in case you need to leave your home in a hurry

þ Develop an evacuation plan for all your animals

þ Near the phone, keep a written set of direction as to how to get to your home in case you are in a panic when you are in need of rescue

þ Find where there are alternate sources of food and water in case local sources are disrupted or contaminated after a disaster.

þ Keep backup generators for use in food-animal production operations

þ Keep all vehicles in good working order and full of gas

þ Always have emergency cash on hand

þ Place stickers on the front and back door of your house, on barn doors and pasture entrances so that fire fighters, police or rescue personnel will know that there are animals on your property. Include a list of evacuation supplies and where they are stored. (This includes, muzzles, handling gloves, catch-nets, and animal restraints.

þ Designate a neighbor to care for your animals in case a disaster occurs when you are away from home

Be sure that your pets have identification tags and rabies and license tags in case you are separated from your pet.

SMALL ANIMALS

v Collar tag

v Microchip

v Tattoo

v Temporary neck band

LIVESTOCK AND HORSES

u Microchip

u Tattoo

u Ear tag

u Halter tag

u Neck Chain

u Ear notches

u Leg Band

u Brand

u Mane clip

u Luggage tag braided in mane or tail

u Clipper shaved information in the animal’s hair

u Livestock marking crayon to write on the animal’s side

u Permanent marker to write on hooves

Small Animal Emergency/Evacuation Kit

J A 2 week supply of food (both dried and canned)

J Bottled water, a 2 week supply

J Bowls (non-spill type is best)

J Can opener (manual)

J Small litter box and scoop for cats

J Leash, collar with id tag or harness for each animal

J Sturdy collapsible carrier labeled with your contact information

J Plastic bags

J Paper towel

J Toys

J Recent picture of your pet

J Care instructions for each animal including feeding schedule, any medications, special dietary requirements

J Medications

J Medical records, vaccination records

J Veterinarian’s name and phone number

J Flashlight and batteries

J Stakes and tie outs

J Trash bags

First Aid Kit for Small Animals

Þ Antibiotic ointment for wounds

Þ Antiseptic wipes

Þ Bandage tape and scissors

Þ Cotton and elastic bandage rolls

Þ Ice cream sticks to use as splints

Þ Cotton-tipped swabs

Þ Eye rinse

Þ Gauze pads and rolls

Þ Instant cold pack

Þ Latex disposable gloves

Þ Saline solution

Þ Tweezers

Þ Mild liquid dish detergent for rinsing wounds

Þ Betadine or Nolvasan (scrub and solution)

Þ Activated charcoal (liquid)

Þ Medications and preventatives as heartworm tablets

Livestock and Horses Evacuation Kit

Ä 3 to 7 days supply of food and water

Ä Blindfolds or bandannas

Ä Batteries and flashlight and radio

Ä Blankets

Ä Veterinary records

Ä Proof of ownership

Ä Duct tape

Ä First aid kit

Ä Fly spray

Ä Heavy gloves

Ä Hoof knife, nippers, pick and rasp

Ä Instructions on how to feed your animals, medication and dosage

Ä Knife

Ä Leg wraps

Ä Leather and cotton halters and leads

Ä Paper towels

Ä Plastic trash can with lids (can store water in these)

Ä Rope or lariat

Ä Shovel

Ä Tarps

Ä Trash bags

Ä Water buckets

Ä Wire cutters

Livestock/Horse First Aid Kit

ü Antibiotic ointment for wounds

ü Bandage scissors

ü Bandage tape

ü Betadine or Nolvasan

ü Cotton bandage rolls

ü Elastic bandage rolls

ü Isopropyl alcohol and prep pads

ü Latex gloves

ü Medications

ü Mineral oil to begin colic treatment

ü Non-adherent bandage pads

ü Saline solution for rinsing cuts or wounds

ü Sterile water-based lubricant

ü Thermometer

ü Tincture of green soap

ü Tourniquet

ü Towels and a washcloth

ü Tweezers

Birds

Ÿ Use small covered carriers to transport birds

Ÿ In cold weather warm the inside of your car before moving the bird from your home to the car. A hot water bottle can help to warm a bird.

Ÿ Transfer the bird to a standard cage when you arrive to the evacuation site. Cover the cage to reduce the bird’s stress.

Ÿ Keep the bird in a quiet area in an enclosed room.

Ÿ If transporting the bird in hot weather take a plant mister to keep the bird cool.

Ÿ Take paper towels to line the bottom of the cage, a cage perch, and toys as well as dietary supplements, food and water and appropriate items from the small animal evacuation kit list.

Reptiles

Ø Transport using a pillowcase, cloth sack, or small transport carrier, and change to a cage when you arrive at your destination

Ø Pertinent items from the small animal evacuation kit

Ø Dietary supplements

Ø Water bowl for soaking

Ø Spray bottle for misting

Ø Heating pad

Ø Battery-operated heating lamp or other appropriate heat source and extra batteries

Ø Handling supplies and gloves

Small Animals (Such as ferrets, hamster, gerbils, rates, mice or guinea pigs)

ð Transport in a secure, covered carrier or cage

ð Pertinent items from the small animal evacuation kit

ð Dietary supplements

ð Exercise equipment

ð Extra bedding materials