Disaster Preparedness for Animal Care Workers

It is essential to acknowledge the importance of disaster preparedness. In light of the unprecedented events of 2020, including the pandemic and a particularly severe disaster season extending into 2021, there is a heightened need for readiness. To aid in this effort, here are some fundamental considerations for creating effective disaster plans:

  1. Develop a Family and Pet Plan: Ready.gov offers comprehensive resources to help families develop emergency plans, build emergency kits, and understand the types of emergencies that may require specific preparations. Ensuring the safety of both family members and pets is critical in a crisis. Additionally, ASPCA.org provides valuable information on pet safety during emergencies.
  2. Ensure Animal Shelters Have Disaster Plans: The National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs (NASAAEP) has developed the Emergency Animal Sheltering Best Practices to assist shelters in preparing for any emergency. It is crucial to incorporate these practices well in advance of any disruptive events. Shelters should also train staff and volunteers on emergency procedures. American Humane offers excellent guidance on planning, including the recommendation to contact local emergency program managers for coordinated planning.
  3. Organizational Preparedness: Organizations should have plans in place to help during disasters, emphasizing readiness in line with the first two points. The experience of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 highlighted the necessity of being prepared. Shelters that had resources and plans were able to assist with animal transports and care for displaced animals effectively. It is important to consider the capacity to care for both local and external animals without overburdening resources.
  4. Training and Collaboration with Recognized Organizations: Staff members interested in assisting disaster areas should train with recognized organizations. The National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC) includes many national groups that respond to disasters. These organizations handle legal and liability issues and provide necessary training. For instance, since 2014, Maine has had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NARSC, integrating them into the state’s emergency planning.
  5. Mental Health and Post-Disaster Support: The aftermath of disasters can be highly stressful for all involved. NAMI.org is a valuable resource for finding counseling and mental health support for staff and volunteers who have experienced trauma. Including mental health support in disaster planning is crucial for long-term resilience.

These guidelines provide a foundation for disaster preparedness. Regularly updating disaster plans ensures they remain effective and relevant. Training staff and volunteers on these plans can also serve as an excellent team-building exercise.

https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/disaster-preparedness-for-shelters/
https://redrover.org/responders/
https://code3associates.org/
https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/sample-plans-evacuation-and-sheltering
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/make-disaster-plan-your-pets
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html
https://www.ifaw.org/programs/disaster-response
https://www.ready.gov/