Emergency Animal
Sheltering
Municipal Level
Steven Immerblum DVM
Team Leader WesCART
ESART/legislative Chair Putnam Westchester Grange/
Goldens Bridge Veterinary Care Center
11/20/10
1
.
It is not if a disaster
will strike, it is when.
It is not if a disaster will strike it is when.
Local
emergency plans are usually limited to evacuating people, and emergency shelters for humans deny admission to pets for health and safety reasons
Over 60% of households own pets, and over 20%
own more than one. The number of pets in
Westchester is similar to the human
population. This is, by no means, a small issue.
.
49% of Those Polled…..
Stated They Would
NOT
Evacuate Without Their Pet
•Local emergency plans are usually limited
to evacuating people, and emergency
shelters for humans deny admission to pets
for health and safety reasons. This results
in citizens often unable to obtain sheltering,
which can result in loss of human life.
The P.E.T.S. Act
•In 2006, Congress passed the Pets
Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act,
to ensure that State and local emergency
preparedness operational plans address the
needs of individuals with household pets and
service animals following a major disaster or
emergency. Failure to maintain preparedness
for pet sheltering could cost significant loss of
funds in FEMA reimbursement funding. This
planning is mandated by federal law.
•If we fail to maintain adequate preparedness
and/or fail in our ability to deploy, an
unacceptable condition will occur. We will
•be
in place
before
a disaster
ell-pets,
have
County
residents
alongoccurs.
with their
rehearsed
forto
pet
and livestock
unable to strategies
gain access
shelters.
This, in
safety
must
be in the
place
before
a disaster
turn, will
impact
ability
of both
emergency
occurs.
managers
and first
to provide
It Can Happen
in responders
Westchester
effective and adequate services to evacuees.
WesCART has a trailer with 144
“sheltering units” and a similar on
being prepared. BUT…………..
The Westchester County Animal Response)
Response isisaavolunteer
volunteerprogram
programmanaged
managedby
bythe
theWestchester
WestchesterCounty
CountyDepartment
Departmentof
of
Emergency Services. The miss
mission of
.
NY Is a “Home Rule” State.
A Municipal Emergency Manager
Must Declare That Local
Resources Are Exhausted And/or
Inadequate for the County Team
to Activate.
We Are in the Process of
Developing the Concept of a
“Threshold” to Determine When
We Will Activate to Assist in a
Local Response
Despite the Budgetary
Constraints Every One of You
Face, You Can’t Afford to Fail.
This Can Be Accomplished
With Little or No Cost!
What to do:
1. Educate residents
2. Create a coordinating liaison position
and designate a temporary or colocation sheltering site
3. Collect sheltering equipment.
4. Share information and coordinate
supply distribution with neighboring
communities
Educate Residents
•
•
•
•
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot
survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not
be able to find them when you return.
Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan,
can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case
they're not available later. While the sun is still shining, consider packing a
"pet survival" kit which could be easily deployed if disaster hits.
Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to your
pet's collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your
evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Make sure
you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so
that if he panics, he can't escape.
Designate a site
Co-location near a human sheltering site is
ideal. Ability to bus residents to site is
second choice. Otherwise we are dealing
with a temporary shelter.
Pertinent amenity considerations include
temperature control, air flow, flooring,
floor insulation,water supply, electrical
supply, lighting, bathroom facilities, and
security.
Taking Action Is a Win-win Situation. Your Residents and Their
Pets Have a Much Greater Level of Protection.
With Photo Opportunities That Help Educate the Public on Pet
Disaster Preparedness.
Equipment
Your residents have an abundance of
crates, carriers and other valuable
equipment taking up space in their homes
and garages that they will be glad to
disburden themselves of. If you place a
request on your towns website, ye shall
receive! At no cost to the taxpayer.
Do not stockpile food!
WesCART has developed significant
capabilities, but we are a work in
progress. We are looking forward to the
possibility that the county will allow us
more extended exposure on it's web site.
This will aid in the coordination of
sheltering supplies throughout the
County.....