No More Homeless Pets Forum
August 23, 2004

When Disaster Strikes

Terri Crisp

Should you be concerned about a natural disaster where you live? What can you do to protect your shelter, your community, and your own pets? Terri Crisp from Noah's Wish will share her experiences.

Introduction from Terri Crisp:

Terri Crisp is on location helping to cope with the damage left by Hurricane Charley, and will be answering your questions from the disaster site. This is just another example of how unpredictable disasters are, but how a well-developed plan can allow you to take quick action to save animals without throwing the rest of your life into turmoil.

Terri looks forward to sharing her experiences and her expertise with you.

Questions

Most critical aspects of planning for disaster
Do stickers on your door with the number of animals inside help?
Buddy system with neighbors to help in times of emergency
Preparing a community plan for organizations
Update on Hurricane Charley
Evacuation plans when living in mountain communities
How to prepare for a disaster and things to consider
Are cats better in a carrier or outside a carrier in a disaster?
How to evacuate when you have multiple pets
Who coordinates all the rescue efforts?
Helping people not have to give up their animals in a disaster
Why don't human shelters allow animals and can that be changed?

Most critical aspects of planning for disaster

Question from Becca:

What are the absolute necessary steps we need to take for a basic disaster plan for our individual animals? I have tags on my animals and have a sticker identifying how many animals I have on the door and I have dog bowls and a crate easily accessible, but I don't know what else I am missing. Obviously different parts of the country have different problems, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes. Is there something to follow based on where you live and what problems you may face frequently?

Response from Terri:

The two most important steps to take in putting together a disaster plan for animals is knowing how you will safely evacuate the animals you are responsible for and where you will take them so they will be safe and well cared for while you are displaced. The more animals a person has and the larger they are the more important it is to think this through before a disaster strikes. When people wait until the last minute to figure out these things they often realize they do not have enough space in their vehicles to transport their animals or they do not have a trailer necessary to haul livestock and horses. If the animals can be evacuated, often times, because of no prior planning, people have no idea where to take them.

Most people are not aware that human evacuation shelters do not allow animals. This is because human shelters are set up to meet the needs of people and not animals, plus there are health and safety concerns. Making plans to house animals with family, friends, co-workers, or individuals associated with animal groups are some options to explore. You also need to find out whether your local animal shelter and those in neighboring communities have a disaster plan and if they are going to be able to house animals that have been evacuated. Having several different plans is a good idea so if one option turns out not to work you have several back up plans.

Do stickers on your door with the number of animals inside help?

Buddy system with neighbors to help in times of emergency

Question from Crystal:

Everything I've read about disaster planning for one's pets talks about having a "buddy system," where a neighbor can take care of one's pets should one not be home when a flood, earthquake or other disaster strikes. This is a great idea in principle, but in my case and that of many others I know, it's not entirely practical. Lifestyles are too transitory that the moment one finally trusts one's neighbors you move or they do. Not to mention the dearth of "stay homes" who might be around during the day if something should happen. In my condo complex, for instance, we're all young singles or couples who work during the day. Not a homemaker or telecommuter in sight. Even the retirees are mostly out and about! Under those circumstances, how does one plan for an emergency where one might get caught away from home and there's no one around to evacuate on a moment's notice?

Response from Terri:

Having a buddy plan in place to help evacuate animals in your absence is ideal but I know it can be difficult finding people who are willing to help or people you can trust. One thing to remember is that during a disaster it is sometimes necessary to do things because we have no other choice. Therefore, continue trying to identify someone who might be able to help, but also know that you may end up in a situation where you'll have to ask for help from someone you do not know because that's the best guarantee at the time that your animal or animals will be brought to safety. "Your buddy" needs to be close to where you live. That's what you should be looking for, but you may have to expand and look further away.

What you should also do it determine what type of disaster or disasters are most likely to occur where you live. If your greatest risks are floods or hurricanes then you should have plenty of warning and the time needed to get your animals to safety. Wildland fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes are more challenging because there is usually little warning. Of course, there are always man-made emergencies like train derailments or other hazardous materials situations.

Preparing a community plan for organizations

Question from Emily:

I work with the Humane Society of Louisiana in New Orleans. Hurricanes are a major threat here, and our organization is woefully unprepared. When a hurricane is threatening, people who could be helping to secure/evacuate the animals at the shelter naturally have their own homes and families and pets to protect, and are often trying to evacuate before the roads get too jammed. Plus, the streets flood very easily here, so people may not even be able to get to the shelter to help. We have a small staff, which is committed to protecting the animals first, but it inevitably results in a mad scramble without a formal plan in place. We have no large transport vehicle, and no established safe-haven to go to in case evacuation is necessary.

It is a priority for us to develop a workable plan. We have begun one on our own, but we could really benefit from your advice. We will all sleep better during hurricane season knowing we have planned ahead!

Thank you for any recommendations you can give us.

Response from Terri:

I appreciate your interest in ensuring your community is better prepared to respond to a disaster. The humane society that you work for faces the same challenges as many others do across the country. During a disaster there is never enough staff, volunteers, shelter space, resources, or money to do what all has to be done to deal with the crisis. It is not that shelters do not try; it is just a fact. We just saw this in Florida. The animal control shelter in Arcadia had its building destroyed and two of the four staff members suffered major damage to their own homes.

Understandably these circumstances made it next to impossible for animal control to respond to the communities needs. That is why help from an outside organization, experienced in managing animals during a disaster, is a valuable resource that can help shelters get through a tough time. Noah's Wish has long recognized this. That is why we try to make contact with animal shelters prior to a disaster occurring, so that when something happens they can call upon us for help. Giving you the information in this format to better develop a plan would require hours and hours of writing. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to contact us, and we can specifically discuss what your needs are during a disaster and how we can assist.

Update on Hurricane Charley

Question from multiple members:

Can you give us an update on what is happening with Hurricane Charley efforts for animals? How bad was it for animals? What can people do if they don't live in the area to help and what is the best way to help and number to contact?

Response from Terri:

I am not the person to ask this question of at this time. Our ability to help in Florida was greatly hindered as is explained on our web site. The only organization that I can say for sure needs help is the animal control shelter in Arcadia, but if you send them donations there is no assurance it will be used in the manner you intended. This is because the shelter is part of county government and any donations must go into the county general fund. There is no guarantee it will make it to animal control. We have seen this happen repeatedly during past disasters when county government is controlling the donations. That is why we are on site during disasters to do the work that needs to be done. With donations given to us we buy what is needed to ensure animal control does not get cheated out of what it deserves.

The Peace River Refuge and Ranch in Zolfo Springs is another organization we helped. Right now they just need manpower to remove debris from their 70-acre sanctuary. In the weeks to come they will need building supplies as they start to reconstruct some of their buildings on the site. We will be helping them with this. I know from being in Florida five days, the animal needs are plentiful. Finding where the help is most needed and getting permission to volunteer is where the challenge lies. All I can say is that before you donate, do your homework. It's unfortunate but there are organizations that use disasters as a way to raise funds and too often not enough of that money stays in the communities that need it the most.

Moderator's note: The No More Homeless Pets of Hillsborough County is keeping a central list of rescue efforts happening across the state of Florida, and how people can help. Check their website: http://www.nmhp-hc.org.

Comment from Beth:

The Humane Society of the U.S. also has teams on site, and is assisting local shelters in various ways. See article on their web site: http://www.hsus.org/ace/21481.

Comment from Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary:

We are the Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) a future Best Friends concept no-kill sanctuary. We are collecting and organizing for the disaster relief of animal shelters in Charlotte and DeSoto counties, those hardest hit by Charley. The destruction is massive; many shelters have been destroyed beyond repair. Foster parents are desperately needed. Some good news, animals that survived the hurricane must be kept for 30 days by a Florida State law, instead of the typical 4 days limit in kill shelters. Time is very important if these lives are to be saved. EARS is working with Sarasota In Defense Of Animals (SDA), also a no-kill rescue group in this effort.

As of this date the community and food manufacturers have responded to the need for pet and animal foods. Other necessities, supplies, meds, infant formula, litter, etc. can be purchased locally with donations. Currently financial help will be most effective, as the needs change from day to day, as recovery proceeds. EARS can be reached @ 941-475-0636 or mailed to at PO Box 1257 Englewood, FL 34295.

PS: A local Foundation will match all contributions made to hurricane relief. EARS will funnel these donations through this Foundation and will mark them for animal support ONLY. EARS is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

Comment from Julie:

Here's more info on Charley: http://www.animalhelp.com/hometown/index.cfm

I think one of the most striking things I learned at this site is that while the acute emergency seems to be winding down, shelters are packed and pet owners who have lost their homes and are trying to turn in pets to animal shelters are either being turned away or the pets are being euthanized immediately. It's not how we normally picture hurricanes taking their toll. Sounds like rescue and foster space could make a big difference at this time.