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Emergency Preparedness for Pet and Livestock Owners

There are approximately two dozen horses in the Buffalo Moose Creek-Soapstone Community Council area, and a handful of chickens, sheep, goats, cows, and pigs. There are also innumerable dogs and cats. Both Buffalo Mine Moose Creek and Soapstone Roads are single access roads, which would make exiting these areas difficult should there be a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a wildfire. Having an evacuation plan on hand will further ensure the safety of area livestock, should emergency event occur. Residents should develop an emergency plan so that they can be as ready as possible.

Pre-emergency procedures
• Evaluate the design and safety of your stable or acreage by considering how it will fare during a disaster.
• Before an emergency occurs, replace unsafe fencing.
• If evacuation is impossible, a decision must be made as to whether or not to leave large animals in their shelters or set them free. This decision should be determined based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the shelter.
• Have enough food and water for several weeks for each animal you own.
• Create a “go kit” in a plastic bucket or tub that is stocked and ready to take.
• Have appropriate medications and first aid supplies on hand; rotate stock with fresh ones.
• Minimize hazards by putting away or securing loose items that may be blown in heavy winds.
• Items such as ground training obstacles and jump stands can become projectiles in high winds.
• Train your livestock to trailer load. Make sure that they’re okay with having strangers load them.
• Horse trailers should be cleaned out and accessible.
• Take photographs of you with your animals and put them in a safe, easy to find place. Good photographs will help you be confirmed as the owner, should you and your animal be separated.
• Document what is physically and mentally normal for your animals, so that you’ll later be able to determine if there are new injuries, or anything else is amiss. Recording their vital signs (temperature, pulse, and respiration) is also wise idea.
• Create an emergency buddy network. Share home, work, cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and the address of the facility where you will board your animals if you are forced to relocate.
• Before leaving, halter your horse with a leather or fire resistant halter (not nylon) with breakaway feature and an ID tag permanently attached, or seal information in a Ziplock bag and duct tape it to the halter.

Post-Emergency procedures
• Notify family, friends, and your buddy network that you and your animals are okay.
• Inspect each animal for injury to eyes and limbs.
• If your animals are missing, have your ID packet on hand when you go to claim lost animals.
• Walk the pasture to remove debris, such as downed limbs and garbage.
• If you discover other animals, evaluate their safety. Move them if they are at risk or in an unsafe environment. Notify authorities as soon as possible.
• Take photos of storm damage for insurance purposes.

Paperwork
Keep originals and copies of the following items in a several places, such as the glove compartment of your truck, and a safe deposit box at the bank, a friends’ house, and your veterinarian’s office. Include the following:
• Special feeding instructions
• Medication needs with dosage and copies of prescriptions, including the name and phone number of prescribing veterinarians
• Generic fliers of each animal to post in case your animals are missing after a disaster; include color photo, description, and contact information.
• Brand inspection
• Breed registration or certificate
• Freeze or heat band documentation
• Microchip registration
• Insurance polices: homeowner, renters, equine
• Photos of you with your horse, and distinguishing characteristics
• Coggins (EIA) test record (for horses)
• Vaccination records (for all animals)

For additional Information
The American Humane Society offers Animal Emergency Services Volunteer Training across the country and encourages riding clubs and horse organizations to sponsor two-day training classes (click on special events).

 

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