May 15, 2009
Make Emergency Plans For Pets In Advance Of Hurricane Season, Bronson Urges
Hurricane season gets under way in just two weeks, and Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding people to get an emergency plan in place now for their animals. Bronson says people should not wait until the last minute to think about how they are going to keep pets and other animals safe during a hurricane. While citizens know they need an emergency plan for their families, they also need one for their pets, horses and livestock.
Bronson’s Division of Animal Industry provides information about pet-friendly hotels, horse sheltering facilities, and extensive emergency preparedness information for animal owners who might be impacted by a hurricane. Visit www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai and click on “Emergency Management” to access the information.
Many county public shelters accept selected animals accompanied by their owners. Bronson says people should contact their local emergency management office to learn about that county’s specific plans.
“It is important to plan ahead and not wait until an evacuation is under way because people may find themselves with no place to go if they take their animals, or they may be forced to leave them behind to fend for themselves,” Bronson said.
Some tips for people with animals include:
Pet Evacuation
-- Do not leave their pets behind when they evacuate because the animals can be injured, lost or killed. Returning to a home after a hurricane may be restricted, and it might be days or weeks before someone could check on pets left behind.
-- Keep ID tags and vaccinations up to date.
-- Prepare a pet evacuation kit, including food and water for at least a week, a manual can opener, medications, medical/vaccination records, a pet carrier, and bedding.
-- If possible, make arrangements in advance for evacuation with pets. Know where you can shelter with your pets along your evacuation route.
-- Evacuate two to three days prior to hurricane landfall to avoid traffic delays and full shelters and hotels. Contact hotels and motels along your evacuation route to check policies on accepting pets and keep the list handy.
Horse Evacuation
-- Keep vaccinations and Coggins tests current.
-- If possible, make arrangements in advance for evacuation of horses. Know where you can take your horses for shelter along your evacuation route.
-- Make sure your horse trailer is “ready to go” or other transport arrangements are prepared well in advance.
-- Carry your vaccination record, Coggins test and health papers with you.
-- Carry two to three days of horse feed and water with you.
-- Evacuate two to three days prior to hurricane landfall to avoid traffic delays and full shelters.
Horses and Livestock Sheltered in Place
Sometimes it is not possible to evacuate horses and livestock. The following actions could greatly improve the survivability of horses and livestock sheltered in place.
-- Reinforce your barn, and outbuildings with hurricane straps and other measures.
-- Open gates or remove fencing so that animals may move to high ground during flooding and to low-lying areas during high winds.
-- Obtain a hand pump and enough large containers to store water for your animals for at least a week.
-- Protect a supply of animal feed from becoming damaged by flooding or high winds.
-- A generator with a safely stored supply of fuel may be essential, especially if you have electrical equipment necessary to the well being of your animals.
-- Secure or remove anything that could become blowing debris and injure your animals.
For more information:
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
comptol@doacs.state.fl.us
