Planning Brochures

For more information, download the Humane Society's disaster planning brochures.

Horses

Pets & Livestock

If you are like millions of pet owners nationwide, your pet is an important part of your household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency or disaster, such as a fire, flood, tornado, or terrorist attack, will depend on how well you plan in advance. If you must evacuate your home, take your pets with you if possible. Here are a few things to consider.

Pets

  1. Be sure to have pet carriers for all your pets. If you need to go to a shelter, they may not be accepted without one.
  2. Are all your pets wearing collars and ID tags with their name? If not, be sure to include information on the carrier with your name, and several emergency telephone numbers.
  3. Include a photo of your pet on the carrier as well. If they escape and become lost, you or the shelter will have a better chance of finding them.
  4. Do you have a friend or family member who would let you stay in the home with your pets if you had to leave? Are there pet-friendly motels nearby? Know where your local emergency animal shelter is located.
  5. Carry your veterinarian's telephone number on your list of emergency numbers in case your pet becomes ill.

Horses and/or Farm Animals

  1. Know how long it will take to load your horses. Will your trailer hold all your horses or animals? How many trips would it take to relocate all of them? Have you mapped out an evacuation route?
  2. Is your horse wearing a halter with his/her name, your name, your telephone number, and an emergency telephone number on it?
  3. Do you know where you can go with your horses or farm animals in the event of an emergency evacuation? Is there an equine shelter in your area? Have copies of your horses' Coggins tests in your emergency packet to present at the emergency shelter.
  4. When you arrive at the emergency shelter to pick up your horse after several days, be prepared to provide identification photos and descriptions from your emergency packet to prove ownership.
  5. Think about a safe place to shelter your animals on your property if you cannot evacuate them.
  6. Have a plan to reinforce your barn and outbuildings and a backup plan for feeding and watering your animals should your power supply be cut off.