Hurricane Preparedness for Pet Owners with Special Needs

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Hurricane Preparedness for Pet Owners with
Special Needs

• By Megan White, Ph.D. Student
• Walden University
• PUBH 8165-1
• Instructor Dr. Raymond Thron
• Winter 2010

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Facts and Figures

• There are over 72 million pet dogs and 81 million
  pet cats, with many households owning more than
  one pet (U. S. Census Bureau, 2010).
• A study by Heath, Kass, Beck, and Glickman found
  owning pets appeared to be the most significant
  reason why households without children failed to
  evacuate (2001, p. 663).
• A study on Hurricane Katrina survivors reported
  pet loss was found to be associated with
  significantly higher levels of psychopathology,
  including acute stress and peri-traumatic
  dissociation, as well as symptoms of depression
  and PTSD (Hunt, Al-Awadi, and Johnson, 2008, p.
  117).

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PETS Act of 2006

• The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards
  Act of 2006 was passed after Hurricane Katrina in
  2005.
• The PETS Act authorizes FEMA to provide rescue,
  care, shelter, and essential needs for
  individuals with household pets and service
  animals, and to the household pets and animals
  themselves following a major disaster or
  emergency (American Veterinary Medical
  Association, n.d., para. 4).
• State and local governments, non-profit agencies,
  and private companies work together to develop
  and implement policies and procedures that
  protect the welfare of animals during a disaster.

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Sheltering in Pinellas County

• Pinellas County hurricane shelters will not
  accept pets.
• Animal shelters will not accept your pets for
  boarding.
• There are 3 pet-friendly shelters in Pinellas
  County
• Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater
• Thurgood Marshall Middle School in St.
  Petersburg
• Dunedin Middle School in Dunedin
• Boarding Kennels
• Make sure it is in non-evacuation zone
• Requires advance registration
• Pet-friendly hotels
• Requires advance registration

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Special Needs Pet Transportation Program

• In cooperation with Pinellas County Animal
  Services and the SPCA of Tampa Bay, the Bay Area
  Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), will
  arrange to pick up your pet, transport the pet to
  an animal shelter for care, and return your pet
  when you return home after the storm.
• This program was designed to provide you with
  peace of mind about your pets when you are
  ordered to evacuate.
• You can be assured that your pet will be safe and
  cared for during the storm and returned to you
  after you have returned home.

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Special Needs Program Registration

• You must pre-register for the Special Needs
  Program.
• Call Pinellas County Emergency Management at
  727-464-3800 for registration paperwork.
• Visit this link for the Special Needs
  Registration Form to fill out the online version
  or download, print, and fax to 727-464-4024.
• You should also contact your local fire
  department or home health agency.
• Once registered, you will be assigned a Special
  Needs Volunteer who will be responsible for
  transporting your pet to an animal shelter for
  care during the storm.

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Be Prepared

• Make a Plan
• Build a Disaster Kit
• Register for the Program
• Stay Informed
• Be Safe

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Make a Plan

• Make your evacuation plan well in advance of the
  start of hurricane season (June 1st).
• Make sure your pet has proper identification
• Collar and ID Tag with current information
• Microchip and/or tattoo
• Make sure your pets vaccinations are up-to-date
  and keep that information handy.

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Build a Disaster Kit

• Enough pet food and medication for two weeks
• Vaccinations and medical history records
• Food and water dishes
• Crate or carrier (1 per pet) labeled with your
  name
• Cat carriers must be able to house a litter pan
• Dogs must be able to stand up and turn around
• Leashes and collars
• Litter pan and scoop for cats
• Favorite toys, blankets, or beds
• Current photo of you with your pet

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Before the Storm

• Be sure to have all necessary items for your pet
  disaster supply kit in advance of the evacuation
  order.
• Bring your pet indoors at first sign of a storm.
  They may get scared or confused and wander off.
• When the evacuation order is given, your Special
  Needs Volunteer will call you to make
  arrangements to pick up your pet.
• Please put your pet in the crate and place the
  pet disaster supply kit next to it.
• If the fire department arrives before the Special
  Needs Volunteer, do not worry, the fire
  department will take your pet to either the SPCA
  shelter or Pinellas County Animal Services.

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During the Storm

• At the shelter, the pets will be safe and cared
  for until they can be reunited with their owners.

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After the Storm

• When you have returned home, contact your
  assigned Special Needs Volunteer and they will
  transport your pet home from the shelter.
• When you walk your animals outside for the first
  few days, keep them on a leash as once familiar
  sights and smells may have changed. Keep your
  cats safe inside your house.
• Watch for unusual behavior in your pets
  stressful situations can cause your pets to act
  differently.
• Be careful of wildlife that may have been
  displaced by flooding.
• Watch where you walk - downed power lines and
  stagnant water are harmful to your pets.

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If you have additional questions about the
Special Needs Pet Transportation Program,

• contact
• Pinellas County Animal Services
• 12450 Ulmerton Rd
• Largo, FL 33774
• 727-582-2600

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Additional Resources

• American Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety
  Checklist
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Pet
  Safety Resources
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Information
  for Pet Owners
• List of Pet-friendly Hotels
• The Humane Society of the United States
  Disaster Preparedness Tips for Pet Owners

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Your Pets Will Thank You
Created for Bay Area DART SPCA of Tampa
Bay Pinellas County Animal Services
Background by Christina Povall
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References

• American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.).
  PETS Act FAQ. Retrieved from http//www.avma.org/d
  isaster/petsact_faq.asp
• Heath, S. E., Kass, P. H., Beck, A. M., and
  Glickman, L. T. (2001). Human and pet-related
  risk factors for household evacuation failure
  during a natural disaster. American Journal of
  Epidemiology, 153(7), 659-665.
• Hunt, M., Al-Awadi, H., and Johnson, M. (2008).
  Psychological sequelae of pet loss following
  Hurricane Katrina. Anthrozoos, 21(2), 109-121.
  doi10.2752/175303708X305765
• United States Census Bureau. (2010). Statistical
  Abstract of the United States 2010 Table 1204.
  Household Pet Ownership 2006. Retrieved from
  http//www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables
  /10s1204.pdf