Hurricane Preparedness for Pets and Horses

Picture
After we evacuated all the animals for Hurricane Rita, there was nothing to do but wait.
The first feeder band rolling in.

Jules says, It is THAT time of year again, ughh!!  Stay informed!



Hurricane Preparation Tips for Pet Owners

If you are forced to evacuate your home because of a hurricane or other emergency, don’t forget to make preparations for your pets. Pets, just like any other member of your family, have their own special needs. Here are some tips to help you prepare for an evacuation.

WHAT TO DO:

• Don’t leave your pet at home! While most evacuations last only a few days, there are times that you may not be able to return quickly. The safest place for your pet is with you.

• If you are going to a hotel, call ahead and make sure, in advance, that animals are welcome. Many hotels relax their policies during times of crisis, but don’t assume that this will be the case. For on-line information about pet-friendly hotels, check out:

www.bringyourpet.com 
www.petswelcome.com     
www.pets-allowed-hotels.com

• If you are staying with friends or family, make sure that your pets are invited as well. If not, ask for recommendations of nearby veterinary hospitals or boarding kennels and make reservations in advance.

• Be sure that your pets are up-to-date on all vaccinations and bring proof of vaccinations with you. It is a good idea to ask your veterinarian now for a copy of your pet’s vaccination record. Keep this with your emergency kit.

• If your pet is on medication, bring at least a two week supply.

• Identification of your pet is crucial! The ideal form of identification is a microchip* or a tattoo. At minimum, your pet should have a tag with his name, your name, and your phone number on it. Pictures of your pet that capture identifying features are also a good idea.

 *A microchip is a tiny permanent identification tag, placed under your pet’s skin by your veterinarian. By registering your name and address with the microchip company, your pet can be scanned and instantly identified at any animal facility.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Enough pet food for one week

• Food bowl

• Water bowl

• Bottled water

• Leash

• Collar

• Proof of vaccinations

• Rabies tag

• Portable kennel

• Litter box and litter for cats

• Trash bags for stool disposal

• Newspaper or towels for crate lining

• Heartworm preventative

• Flea and tick protection

• All medications

• For exotic pets, bring their entire habitat, including heat lamps and extension cords

Your pet’s kennel should be large enough for him to stand and turn around. Collapsible wire crates are best if your pets might be in a non-air conditioned environment for an extended period. Molded plastic airline-approved crates make for easier transport and are best for animals that don’t travel well in the car.

 
Tips for Horse Owners to Prepare for Hurricane Season

 With the hurricane season upon us, it is important for horse owners to ready themselves in advance for evacuation and other recommended tasks related to hurricane preparedness. Here are some tips for effectively preparing horse owners in areas prone to hurricane damage: 
  • Be sure your horse is current regarding vaccinations for tetanus and the encephalitis viruses (Eastern, Western, and West Nile).
  • Network a "plan" with the horse or farm animal-owning neighbors in your county or parish (get to know your neighbors, plan a meeting, talk through different scenarios, and identify the local resources for dealing with disaster situations) and be prepared to help one another.
  • Know your county/parish emergency managers!!! They are in charge during a disaster: Office of Emergency Preparedness (e.g., Sheriff, Animal Control)
  • Be sure that your horse has two forms of identification: (1) Permanent identification such as a microchip, tattoo or brand, and (2) Luggage-type tag secured to the tail and halter (be sure to use a leather halter for break-away purposes). Fetlock tags are useful and can be acquired on-line or from a local farm supply store or you can use a paint stick or non-toxic spray paint. Be sure to place your name, address, and phone number (phone # of someone out of state is best in the event of phone outages) legibly on the tags.
  • Be sure to store the record for the microchip number (i.e., Coggins form) in an accessible location (it is recommended to keep a second copy of this information with a family member or friend in a distant location but where it will be easily accessible).
  • If you plan to evacuate (and you should ALWAYS do this if possible) in the event of a storm, have a destination and route(s) mapped out well in advance. It is important to evacuate your horses a sufficient distance from the coast. January to March would be good months to prepare this plan. Arrange to leave a minimum of 72 hours before the arrival of the storm. The worst thing that can happen to you is to get stuck in traffic with a trailer full of horses and a hurricane approaching. Provide your neighbors with your evacuation contact information.
  • Prepare a waterproof emergency animal care kit with all the items you normally use, including medications, salves or ointments, vetwrap, bandages, tape, etc. Place the kit in a safe place where you can easily access it after a storm.
  • Start early to clean up your property and remove all debris that may be tossed around by storm and hurricane force winds. Be careful of down power lines which can be "live" and represent a danger to people and animals.
  • If you plan to weather the storm at home (this is not usually recommended), there are some general guidelines to follow:
    • The choice of keeping your horse in a barn or an open field is up to you. Use common sense, taking into consideration barn structure, trees, power lines, condition of surrounding properties and the likelihood of the property and structure to flood. Farms subject to storm surge or flash flooding should turn their horses out so horses are not trapped and thus drown.
    • Remove all items from the barn aisle and walls, and store them in a safe place.
    • Have at least a two- to three-week supply of hay (wrapped in plastic or waterproof tarp) and feed (stored in plastic water-tight containers).
    • Place these supplies in the highest (out of reach of flood waters) and driest area possible.
    • Fill clean plastic garbage cans with water, secure the tops, and place them in the barn for use after the storm.
    • Have an emergency barn kit containing a chain saw and fuel, hammer(s), saw, nails, screws and fencing materials. Place this kit in a secure area before the storm hits so that it is easily accessible after the storm.
    • Be sure to have an ample supply of flashlights and batteries and other non-perishable items.
    • Listen to local radio stations in your area. If Internet access is available, access state-run websites that contain accurate status information (i.e., State Police, State University, State Dept. of Agriculture) and take all cautions/warnings seriously and act accordingly.

  • As always, Spindletop stands by for assistance in the event of Natural Disaster if we ourselves are not in the afftected area.

    The above is borrowed in part from Louisiana State University.