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How many times we gotta say it? Don’t forget the pets
By Gina Spadafori
November 12, 2007
This morning I had to attend a mandatory emergency-training class. The presenter talked about fires, floods, terrorists attacks, the whole scary mess, and went over what everyone needed to know about evacuation.
Except … he sort of left out the pets. Sure, there was one line in the presentation, something like “contact your vet” and in the handout there was a section on leaving the pets behind in the garage with food … as if!
I raised my hand and pitched a small fit.
I mean, my heavens, catch a clue. Where has this consultant been the last decade or so? Doesn’t he realize that not caring for pets puts people at risk, because people will not leave pets behind? Disaster planning for your pets is extremely important, and the emergency services lecturer who omits this information is doing his audience a disservice.
And oh yeah, I told him. Offered to help the consulting firm that goes around making these presentations develop a pet-care component. He wasn’t thrilled with me, but who cares? It’s important information.
By the way, we’ve written about this a lot. Maybe it’s because I live in California, which has just about every kind of natural disaster you could want. And the only other place I lived was wiped out by a hurricane after I left. So, yes, I’m pretty keen on disaster preparedness.
Here’s a piece we’ve written. But as I told the folks this morning, if there’s ONE THING I would suggest every pet-owner have, it’s a crate for transporting a pet. A crate for every pet — cat, dog, ferret, rabbit, parrot, etc., etc. Because once you’re evacuated, you don’t know what you’re going to find on the road. The pet who travels with his own “hotel room” has a lot more options.
I have the luxury of having a paid-off, beat-up 1o-year-old minivan that’s my dogmobile. It’s filled with crates, bowls and a first-aid kit. Always fueled and ready to go, because of course we go a lot — to the river, to training and more. The van is furry and smelly, but that’s OK, because no one’s ever in it except me and the pets. The seats were pulled out years ago. It’s a fright show, but it’s mechanically sound and well-maintained. We could live in it, if we had to.
A dedicated petmobile is not necessary, but a plan is. Because you never know when the levee will break — and you won’t want to leave your pet behind.
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our pets are included in disaster plans in NYC now. i keep vet records (rabies info required to enter shelter/etc)and all other info for my pets in the first aid kit. i built a first aid kit that is for humans and pets and keep a copy of my pet first aid book there also. i’ve left out any medications/things that cannot be used on animals unless clearly marked. it’s all part of my grab n’ go. 2 types of muzzles also (required to evac with larger dogs on public transit)included. the nylon groomer and a basket muzzle. yes, i was born and raised in California! been there, done that ;) and being in NYC, well, must be prepared also!
Comment by straybaby — November 12, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
As if, is right! Good for you! We too have a dog mobile, stocked with all the essentials, with kittie crates and supplies right near by. Not too long ago we did a squidoo lens - http://www.squidoo.com/petsemergency/ - maybe it will help others like your page. Woofs, Johann
Comment by Johann — November 12, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
I’m so glad you brought this up, Gina. I live in a very pet-loving city and I am appalled to state that I just checked my city’s disaster plans and they do not even mention the word “pet” - not even cat or dog or rabbit - anywhere. I am appalled.
Today in a legal holiday but you’d better believe tomorrow some people will face the day of reckoning when they get my phone call.
Comment by Lynn — November 12, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Oh yes, forgot to add that having been evacuated before, I know EXACTLY what to take and what to do. And for those of you who don’t think a crate is necessary, think again. Animals become frightened when you’re trying to get them in the vehicle with flames coming up the mountains. You must maintain control and putting pets in their mini-hotel rooms while they are being transported is the pet way to ensure their safety.
Comment by Lynn — November 12, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Gina, I’m guessing the presenter was somewhat embarassed and that’s where his resistance was stemming from (I’ve run into this with technical presenters - they don’t like being “called” on stuff, so rather than consider new ideas, they tend to shut down and shut them out). So - have you considered going directly to the consulting firm with your suggestions? That is - to the people who actually make the decisions on what materials are included in the presentation?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — November 12, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
Gina-
Give me the name of this consulting firm. We can link them up with folks in CA that have been working this area.
There are many references available. I’m surprised that they haven’t tapped into the AVMA, ASPCA, HSUS, etc. disaster preparedness references- not to mention the recently enacted “No Pets Left Behind” Act.
Comment by glock — November 12, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Well that presenter obviously doesn’t own any animals or ever had. I hope he was embarrassed when you raised the point about leaving your pets behind. Is he crazy!
Comment by Heather — November 12, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
And I can’t say it enough - keep the crates accessible. Crates tucked away in your attic are worthless if there is a dire emergency.
A closet near your main exit is probably best. And not on a high shelf that you need assistance to reach.
As Straybaby so rightly calls her kit “grab n’go’ your carriers need to be gng as well.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 12, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
*sigh*
SOSDD (Same old sh** different day).
I was at the forefront of the whole animal disaster rescue movement (even helped build the first animal rescue rig) back in the early 1990s and it was hard then…better now but the same old issues about the value of pets remain.
Some people value them and some don’t.
The angle you have to come from is that people will not evacuate without their animals and how are they going to mitigate that issue when they don’t. This is the only thing that certain agencies seem to understand.
If it has a benefit to helping rescue and save people they will take action—otherwise it is still a mess.
For instance, the Red Cross now teaches animal first aid BUT it is up to the individual chapters as to whether or not they will allow animals in to the shelters.
The last fires in my area were right outside my home. When I visted the Red Cross—only 12 people showed up to stay and despite the room— and the fact that they could have accepted animals—they wouldn’t.
Instead they turned away one of my neighbors—an elderly women with animals—fortunately all of us went over to private homes throughout the valley and someone took her in.
As a contributer to the early projects of the CVMA, AVMA (and lots of other acronymned agencies) when they first started on their disaster medicine and rescue, I’ve been on the frontlines of preparedness and doing rescue after disasters—but the key is that you have to preplan and take action yourself.
Animal disaster preparedness is not optional, it is crucial, not only to the welfare and safety of the animals, but also for the peace of mind of the family members of those critters.
It is critical not only to plan but to actually TAKE ACTION steps.
When I wrote my first guide to animal disaster preparedness in 1993, few took notice. American Humane took it out on the road for a while but I only see little changes.
It was ironic that my booklet was just updated before the So. Cal Fires AND as luck would have it, my regional magazine column for August/September talked about fires and pet preparedness.
When my editor paid me—her note said she hoped we wouldn’t need the info.
We did.
How many people actually took the actions? Few.
It was hard to get anyone interested in the animal problem during the first two fires (we had four major fires here in the last two months) but I got the direct number to incident command center anyway and told them they needed to address the issue…giving them numbers and contacts.
Needless to say, we had a real big mess and the same old problems exisited despite warnings and pleas I hoped would penetrate the big balls of red tape.
Despite the PETS Act (Pet Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act) I believe it is going to remain a grassroots effort for some time so I hope everyone reading takes heed.
People have to prepare themselves.(Tell a friend because I know you probably are already prepared or are taking the PCs advice).
I did do a podcast show on the topic and should have it up in the next week…still editing. (Check Ark Animal Answers on iTunes.)
Glad PC mentioned the problem and I am looking for the time when that issue will be a thing of the past.
Finally, I know another comment requested it, but please email me the name of the firm if you don’t post it here.
Comment by Diana L Guerrero — November 13, 2007 @ 10:03 am
“For instance, the Red Cross now teaches animal first aid BUT it is up to the individual chapters as to whether or not they will allow animals in to the shelters.
The last fires in my area were right outside my home. When I visted the Red Cross—only 12 people showed up to stay and despite the room—and the fact that they could have accepted animals—they wouldn’t.”
isn’t this now against the law? i know here in NYC, plans now include pets. even before the national law. i don’t know if it’s “law” here in the city, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue as there are clear guidelines for pets in evacuations. and i thought that was the whole point of the national bill. wouldn’t that REQUIRE pets to be included? and if a group wasn’t willing to include them, shouldn’t they be excluded from national/state/local disaster plans/participation?
sorry, but if the Red Cross is turning away people with pets, and there is now a law right?, should they be allowed to advertise on national media after a disaster for funds?!
Comment by straybaby — November 14, 2007 @ 1:39 am