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 have County residents along with their pets, unable to gain access to shelters. This, in turn, will impact the ability of both emergency managers and first responders to provide effective and adequate services to evacuees.

WesCART has a trailer with 144 “sheltering units” and a similar one being prepared. BUT…………..

 .

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 co location 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.....