The Casey Plan
Caring for Animals Safely in Emergencies during the Year
Disasters can happen at any time. You need a plan for your family and that includes your pets. Pets will have special needs during this difficult time and The CASEY Plan can help with that. Please feel free to make copies for yourself, your family and your friends. Also if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Be Prepared
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hazardous material spills--disasters can strike
any time, anywhere. But with preparation and planning, your family--including
your pets--can be protected.
If You
Evacuate, Take Your Pets
The single most important thing that you can do to protect your pets if you
evacuate is to take your pets with you! If it's not safe for you to stay in the
disaster area, it's not safe for your pets.
- Animals left behind in a disaster can easily get injured, lost or
killed. Animals left inside your home can escape through broken windows or
other storm-damaged areas of your home. Animals turned loose to fend for
themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation,
predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or
chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence!
- Once you leave your home, you have no way of knowing how long
you'll be kept out of the area--you may not be able to go back for your
pets. If you leave, even if you think you may only be gone for a few
hours, take your animals.
- Leave early--don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. An
unnecessary trip is far better than waiting too long to leave safely with
your pets. If you must be evacuated by emergency officials, you may be
told to leave your pets behind.
Don't Forget
I.D.
Your pets should be wearing up-to-date indentification at all times. It's a
good idea to include a number of a friend or relative outside your immediate
area.
Find a Safe
Place--Ahead of Time
Because evacuation shelters generally don't accept pets, except for service
animals, you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and your pets will have
a safe place to stay. Don't wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
- Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check
policies on accepting pets. Keep a lists of "pet-friendly"
places handy. Call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might
have to leave your home.
- Ask friends, relatives or others outside your immediate area if
they would shelter you and your animals, or just your animals, if
necessary. If you have more than one pet, be prepared to house them
separately.
- Make a list of veterinarians and boarding facilities who might
shelter animals in emergencies; include 24-hour phone numbers.
- Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency foster care
or shelter for pets in an emergency. This should be your last resort, as
shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their
limits during an emergency.
Disaster Supply
Checklist for Pets
Every member of your family should know what he or she needs to take when you
evacuate. You also need to prepare supplies for your pet. Stock up on
non-perishables well ahead of time; add perishable items at the last minute;
have everything ready to go at a moment's notice. Keep everything accessible,
stored in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (duffle bags, covered
trash containers, etc.).
- Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container)
and a first aid kit. A pet first aid book is also good to include. (For
information about the HSUS book, Pet First Aid: Cat and Dogs, call
202-454-1100.)
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely
and to ensure that your pets can't escape. (Carriers should be large
enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down.
Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time.)
- Current photos of your pet for identification in case your pet gets
lost.
- Food, water, bowls, cat litter and litter box, and a
manually-operated can opener.
- Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior
problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to
board your pets or place them in foster care.
- Pet beds and toys, if you can easily take them.
- Other useful items include newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash
bags, grooming items, and household bleach.
Other Evacuation Tips
- All mobile home residents should evacuate at the first sign of a
disaster.
- Evacuate to the safest location you can that's as close as possible
to home. Long-distance evacuation can be a problem when highways are
crowded.
- When planning for hurricanes, identify your evacuation zone and
level to determine if and when you would have to evacuate. Be prepared for
one category higher than the one being forecast, because hurricanes often
increase in strength just before landfall.
If You Don't
Evacuate
If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home,
identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together: Keep dogs on
leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing indentification.
Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight
containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If you need to purify
water, add 2 drops of household bleach per quart of water, mix, seal tightly,
and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking.
As the Disaster
Approaches
Warnings of hurricanes or other disasters may be issued hours, even days, in
advance. Don't wait until the last minute to get ready:
- Call to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for pets.
- Bring pets into the house so you can leave with them quickly.
- Make sure your disaster supplies are ready to go
In Case You're
Not Home
An evacuation order may come, or a
disaster may strike, when you're at work or out of the house. Find out if a
trusted neighbor would be able to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged
location. If so, be sure that the person is comfortable with your pets, knows
where your animals are likely to be, knows where your disaster supplies are
kept, and has a key to your home. If you use a petsitting service, they may be
able to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.
After the Storm
Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be
gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented--pets can easily get lost in
such situations. Walk dogs on a leash and keep cats inside (or in carriers, if
your house is damaged and they could escape). Be patient with your pets after a
disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible.
Be ready for behavioral problems that may result from stress. If problems
persist or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to a
veterinarian.
Be Prepared--Be Safe!
