B2 Andres Animals and Pets in Emergencies

8/13/2019 B2 Andres Animals and Pets in Emergencies

1/16

Animals and Pets

in Emergencies

Brad Andres

Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentEmergency Program


2/16

Objectives

Lessons from recent events with animalsEncourage local planning with animals

Create awareness of Livestock Trailer

Project


3/16

Livestock

in emergencies


4/16

Emergency Events and Livestock

Major threats to farms and livestock Fire

Flooding

Severe weather (tornados, etc)

Power outages

Rail/road/pipeline accidents with dangerous goods

Farmer left with 3 choices

Shelter in Place

Evacuate and leave animals

Evacuate animals and family


5/16

Shelter in Place

Why?

Need to maintain care of animals

Threat/hazard is not an imminent danger to people

Trying to protect farm/animals/livelihood

What it means to you?

May cause issues if an evacuation order in place

May get a call for help later on in the emergency

Who is responsible for their safety?


6/16

Evacuate People Leave Animals

No time or not enough

time to move animals as

well.

Some animals cannot bemoved easily.

Hogs

Bison

Poultry

Who is caring for animals

left behind?


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Evacuate Animals and People

Takes time

Where to?

The receiving location must have

the ability to handle livestock.

Rodeo/Fair Grounds

Auction Marts

Other similar facilities/farms

Where can farmer get assistance?

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Pets

in emergencies


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Emergency Events and Pets

Human behavior Some people will not be separated from their pets.

Others will not evacuate without their pets (this can include

animals as large as horses)

Expect the unexpected People have unusual pets

Snakes, Spiders, Pigs, Horses

With pets comes a host of other issues

Public health concerns with serving food Allergies to animals amongst evacuees

Risk of animal disease spread when consolidated


10/16

Lessons from Athabasca Reception/Evacuation Centre could handle pets.

Key lessons:

Need a detailed registration system for pets Clear information on owner (contact, location, etc.)

Access to veterinarian/vet services

Cleaning schedule and staff

Good communication with rest of reception centre Restricted access to pet area.


11/16

Athabasca Pet Registration Form


12/16

Lessons from Westlock Reception Centre/Evacuation Centre could not take pets

Key lessons:

Need a place where evacuees can be close to their pets

Used same registration process for pets as for people

Adopted out temporarily.

Some people chose to live in vehicles rather than be

separated.

Have an excellent working relationship with local kennelsand animal boarding facilities.

If you have a plan, do a quick read through when you start.


13/16

Lessons from inside the Slave Lake

exclusion zone

Edmonton Humane Society (EHS)deployed a team: The request for assistance came through an unusual chain.

EHS never seemed to be integrated with the EOC lead

response

Logistic support was minimal/inconsistent No formal way to raise issues up to Incident Management Team

The entry into homes to check on pets left behind needs to be

coordinated with local authorities

Need a clear request/tasking process

Should be integrated with local DSS as a subunit.

Needs to be resourced and supported like any other

operational activity.


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Plan Templates

Ontario groups created - Animal Care EmergencyResponse Plan

Fill in the blanks template

Planning team includes local veterinarians and SPCA

Local animal shelters part of Municipal Emergency Plan Supplies and personnel to set up temp housing.

Disaster Animal Response Team of Nova Scotia

(DARTNS)Shelter Manual

Three levels of responseadded to municipal animal staff Has a number of Standard Operating Procedureshow to

set-up a temporary shelter, feeding, cage cleaning, etc


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Conclusion

About 62 percent of all households have a pet.

Any evacuation situation is going to bring a number of

animals with it.

Farm animals are not likely going to be evacuated

Anticipate, Plan ahead, Be flexible


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Questions?

Brad Andres

Emergency Program

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

780-638-3204

[email protected]

B2 Andres Animals and Pets in Emergencies

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