emergency. The following are organizations and resources that you can
contact or access to help you plan how to protect your pets.
to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home. You can
search for local shelters on the Pets 911 Web site.
protect your pets in an emergency. For example, visit the Hillsborough
County, Florida Web site on pets and disaster preparedness .
Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting
pets in an emergency. The following are considered key resources for
planning how to ensure your pets' safety before an emergency:
· American Red Cross: Visit the Red Cross' Web site on Animal Safety,
which is a joint effort of the Red Cross and the Humane Society.
· American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): AMVA offers a
variety of resources to assist veterinarians, animal owners, and
others interested in the well-being of animals to prepare for animal
safety in the event of a disaster.
o Disaster Preparedness Site
o "Saving the Whole Family" Brochure
· Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS): EARS responds to disasters
by sending trained volunteers to rescue, shelter, feed, groom,
exercise, and provide tender loving care for any displaced companion
animals (dogs, cats, etc.), wildlife, and livestock during the
duration of a disaster with no charge to the community. Visit the EARS
Website for information on protecting cats, dogs, horses, and other
companion animals from disaster.
· Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA is the federal
agency that leads the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and
effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any
national incident.
o Animals and Emergencies: Preparedness Information: http://
www.fema.gov/library/aprep.shtm o Public Service Announcements:
http://www.fema.gov/library/psa/ 98hurr_60.shtm
· Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART): SART offers a
downloadable PowerPoint presentation "Pets & Disasters: Personal
Planning."
· Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA's Center for Veterinary
Medicine offers the fact sheet "Protecting Pets in a Disaster." This
fact sheet provides tips on preparing for a disaster and handling
animals during and after a disaster.
· Local Animal Shelters: Because most emergency shelters do not admit
pets, local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on planning
how to protect your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home. You
can search for local shelters on the Pets 911 Web site.
· Local Government Animal Control or Service Agencies: Local
government animal control or service agencies can provide guidance on
how to protect your pets in an emergency. For example, visit the
Hillsborough County, Florida Web site on pets and disaster
preparedness.
· National Animal Poison Control Center: In emergency situations, pets
could be poisoned by exposure to harmful chemicals, products, or
foods. For information on protecting your pets, visit the Animal
Poison Control Center's Web site. See in particular the publication
Keep Your Pet's Home Poison Safe. If you suspect that your pet has
been poisoned, call toll-free
1-888-426-4435 (calls are answered 24
hours a day, every day).
· Pet Travel and Lodging Resources: Most emergency shelters do not
take pets. Before an emergency, plan where you will take your family
and pets if you are ever asked to evacuate your home. There are a
number of organizations that offer advice and resources for traveling
with pets, including searchable lists of lodging establishments that
accept pets. For example, visit
o DogFriendly.com
o PetTravel.com
o
petswelcome.com
o Travel Pets
· The Humane Society. Visit the Humane Society's Web site on pets and
disaster planning.
Get Involved
· Visit the Humane Society of the United States' Volunteer Web site
for information on becoming a member of a Disaster Animal Response
Team.
· Visit the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) Web site for
information on becoming an EARS Volunteer.
See also:
· Animals in Public Evacuation Centers
Disclaimer: Links to other federal and nonfederal organizations found
at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These
links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their
programs by CDC, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible
for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at
these links.
The following items are used by the Red Cross in their emergency
backpacks. The supplies last for three days. They recommend you keep
this handy in your car or where it can be readily available.
· Backpack
· Battery Powered Flashlight (batteries included)
· Battery Powered Radio (batteries included)
· Emergency Blanket
· Food Bars (4,800 calories total)
· Work Gloves (one pair)
· Light Sticks (3 each; one lasts 12 hours)
· Moist Towelettes (6)
· Breathing Mask (NIOSH-N95)
· Plastic Sheeting (10'x10')
· Rain Poncho
· Personal First Aid Kit (41 pieces)
· Roll of Duct Tape
· Water (2 quarts)
· Water Container (2.5 gallon)
· Whistle