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Disaster Preparedness
Hurricane Season & More
Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, (FAPS) feels it is imperative to remind pet owners to "Be Prepared" in the event of a natural or human disaster. We all know they can strike at anytime, in the blink of an eye.
Planning is key.
Since animals depend on us for their safety and well being, it is important to include your family pet/s in your Household Disaster & Evacuation Plan. Farmers should also have plans to protect their livestock. You never know when a disaster may strike; fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes obviously occur without advanced notice. What about a gas leak or a chemical spill from an overturned tanker truck? Are you prepared to leave your home, neighborhood or town? Whether you choose to stay or evacuate,(now enforced by many local authorities), proper preparation for your family pet can mean the difference between life and death for them and even you.
As I write this, my memory flashes back of helpless animals quivering, abandoned on rooftops, left with no shelter or food, only contaminated floodwaters rising fast. At FAPS we took in many Katrina Dogs, one that was burned from polluted waters, so badly it burnt his skin off. Volunteers took him to the vet, he was treated and he was re-homed. "Goose" was his name and he sure was a Trooper. Many were amazingly reunited, even two years after,with owners. Many lessons were learned.
Most pet owners had no choice, it was leave or be arrested. Curfews were put in effect, looters took advantage of the empty store fronts.. I know you all remember.
Oh, how sad. I just don't know what I would have done in this situation, my pets are part of the family.
Now, I have a plan in my household. You should too.
A handy item we have is an emergency battery/electric powered weather radio(with extra batteries). Although my house is brick, I have many windows, if there is a tornado warning, I take the dogs to a central part of the house, like the hallway and bathroom area. We stay away from all windows and close all blinds. We sit down on dog beds and have pillows handy if debri where to fly through the air. A flashlight is always nearby, in the event of a power outage.
As many of you know animals are extremely sensitive, so they pant and are very anxious while they ride out the storm. I bring toys over and stroke my dogs to calm them down until the bad weather passes. Older dogs are more susceptible towards storm anxiety and natural disaster displacement. Talk to them, your voice is comforting when thunder is crashing down outside. Try to distract them with toys.
FAPS has a Plan
FAPS shelter has a disaster plan where board members and volunteers are called and animals are placed in labeled/ventilated, travel crates. Stockpiles of food,water and medications are collected. All animals are moved to safe stable ground and building, ALL indoors. We have never, knock on wood, had to move them from the FAPS shelter, but our travel kennels allow us to transport them if needed safely.
Our courageous volunteers have looked like "wet dogs" in ponchos staying the night to see that every animal remains calm, fed, given water, medication and watched carefully. I encourage other shelters and rescues to establish a plan suited for their building, for quick evacuation, so that no one is left behind.
Since Hurricanes, Katrina & Rita
Many communities have set up up pet friendly shelters to accommodate human evacuees and their pets in the event of a disaster. Cumberland County Animal Control would cover our area along with state animal response units. Now more then ever local hotels have become "Pet Friendly" after Hurricanes that swept the gulf coast, three years ago. In previous years only service animals were permitted in shelters. Our federal government, with the help of humane societies have changed the face of "Family Evacuation".
Local "pet friendly hotels", can also serve as refuge for you and your family pet, should an emergency arise.
www.tripswithpets.com lists pet friendly lodging throughout the the US. There happens to be several Fayetteville hotels that are willing to accept 4-legged guests. This is good to know, because a fire or flood can serve as a disaster.
Each hotel has their own set of rules and policies, it is important to check with them ahead of time, to see if they can accommodate you and your pet in the event of any emergency situation.
Be Prepared
- Plan ahead for a safe refuge. Make a list of pet friendly hotels, shelters, or relatives where you can stay with your pet/s.
- If evacuation is not an option, keep your pet with you,on a leash or in a labeled carrier with identification. Be sure your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar/tags with more than one telephone contact number.
- Never leave a dog tied, chained or outdoors free to roam during a disaster. Bring them indoors, it’s much safer for them and could be a matter of life or death. Falling limbs, flooding waters, electrical wires down could injure or kill them.
- Have updated medical records, a recent photograph, and medications in a waterproof container for your pet on hand. Store bought plastic bags, with zippers, work great to keep several copies of vital information.
- Keep a leash or carrier for "each" family pet, a pet first aid kit, blankets, pet bed, toys, newspaper, kitty litter and a litter box, trash bags, and bleach readily packed.
- Have 3 -7 days of freshly sea led pet food, bottled water and MEDICATION readily available.
- Remember the aftermath of a disaster can be just as dangerous; keep your pet indoors until you know that it is safe for them to venture outdoors. Keep them leashed especially if you have relocated to a new area, they may not recognize new scents and may not be able to find their way back if they get lost.
FAPS offers FREE brochures on Disaster Preparedness from The Humane Society of the United States and The Department of Homeland Security. If you would like to receive any animal related materials please call the shelter at 910-864-2077 or 910-864-9040. We will be happy to mail you a brochure.
Kim Allison
FAPS Board Of Directors/Volunteer
Dr.Kelli Ferris, DVM - FAPS Advisory Board Member Promotes Disaster Planning
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