Report Emergencies:
911
Disaster Preparedness for Equines from the
Humane Society of the United States
http://m.humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/disaster_preparedness_horse.html
Equines require extra consideration in disaster
planning
A
good disaster plan is vital to keeping yourself and your animal companions
safe. But equines require extra consideration because of their size and
specific transportation needs. Since you won't have much time to think or act
during an emergency, take time now to create an effective emergency plan.
Planning for a Disaster
Permanently identify each equine by tattoo, microchip, brand, or photograph. In
your records, include the equine's age, sex, breed, and color. Keep this
information with your important papers.
Keep halters ready for your equines. On each halter attach a luggage tag with
the following information: the equine's name, your name, email address, your
telephone number, and another emergency telephone number where someone can be
reached. At the time of evacuation, consider additional temporary
identification such as a leg band.
Place your equine's Coggins tests, veterinary papers, identification
photographs, and vital information, such as medical history, allergies, and
emergency telephone numbers (veterinarian, family members, etc) in a
watertight envelope. Store the envelope with your other important papers in a
safe place that will be easy for you to access, so you can take them with you
when you and your equines evacuate.
Make arrangements in advance to have your equines trailered in case of an
emergency. If you don't have your own trailer or don't have enough room in
your trailer for equines, be sure you have several people on standby to help
evacuate.
Evacuation
It is important that your equines are comfortable being loaded onto a trailer.
If your equines are unaccustomed to being loaded onto a trailer, practice the
procedure so they become used to it.
Know where you can take your equines in an emergency evacuation. When
possible, make arrangements with a friend or another equine owner to stable
your equines
well beyond the region at risk. Contact your local animal care and control
agency, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency management
authorities for information about shelters in your area.
If you cannot evacuate with your equine
Have a back-up plan in case it's impossible to take your equine with your when
you evacuate. Consider different types of disasters and whether your equines
would be better off in a barn or loose in a field. Your local humane
organization, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency management
agency may be able to provide you with information about your community's
disaster response plans.
Share your evacuation plans with friends and neighbors. Post detailed
instructions in several places, including the barn office or tack room, the
horse trailer, and barn entrances to ensure emergency workers can see them in
case you are not able to evacuate your equines yourself.
When Disaster Strikes
Don't leave your equines behind. A situation that isn't safe for you won't be
safe for your equine companion either.
Evacuate immediately. If you wait until the last minute to evacuate, emergency
management officials may tell you that you must leave your equines behind. In
this case, your equines could be unattended for days without care, food, or
water.
Supplies
Prepare a basic first aid kit that is portable and easily accessible.
Be sure to include enough water (12 to 20 gallons per day per equine), hay,
feed, and medications for several days for each equine.
