Planning For Pets A Priority This Hurricane Season

Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) remind Louisiana residents that it makes sense to include family pets in hurricane planning. Know what to do with those four-legged friends when the evacuation order is given for coastal Louisiana.

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act of 2006 mandates FEMA to ensure all state and local emergency plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals.

Michael Hall, the pre-designated Federal Coordinating Officer for the FEMA/Louisiana hurricane planning team said, “We’re working with GOHSEP and the parishes to have plans in place to assure pets are evacuated along with their owners and to keep people and their pets together.”

GOHSEP director, Mark Cooper said, “Moving Louisiana’s pet population in an orderly and efficient manner is a top priority if a major hurricane is on track to hit Louisiana. We encourage everyone to include their family pet(s) in hurricane evacuation strategy, and we urge people to not leave pets behind.”

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), the USDA and parish officials recently tested pet evacuation procedures in the multiregion hurricane preparedness functional exercise in Southeast Louisiana and in a multi-agency pet evacuation exercise at the Baton Rouge Animal Control facility. In the latter test, more than 150 dogs and cats were registered, placed in cages and made ready for transport with the help of volunteers from the non-profit State Animal Response Team (LSART). LSART provides assistance and leadership in animal-related disasters under the direction of the State Veterinarian’s Office.

LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. urges Louisiana pet owners to plan for emergencies. “Pet ownership is an individual responsibility,” he said, “and a prepared owner has a plan for their family and their pets.”

Current planning calls for parishes to make decisions, on a parish by parish basis, whether to accept non-domesticated pets such as snakes and other reptiles for transport to shelter locations.

Pet owners are reminded to have the necessary ownership and vaccination papers ready for examination by officials in order to transport their pets. Pet owners who will be self-evacuating should be prepared to take their pets with them and have pet disaster kits that include:

Proper identification including immunization records and current photo
Ample supply of food and water
A carrier or cage, pet beds and toys
Medications, medical records and a first aid kit
Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that animals can't escape.
Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.

GOHSEP officials remind self-evacuating residents to plan ahead, since it may be difficult to find shelter for animals in the midst of a disaster. Most public shelters will not permit animals inside with the exception of service animals for the disabled. Pet owners are encouraged to research shelter alternatives that will work for both them and their pets. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics, and friends and relatives out of harm's way are all potential refuges for pets during a disaster.

The Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide for Southeast or Southwest Louisiana 2008 is available for downloading at www.getagameplan.org and clicking on the GOHSEP link. The guide has extensive information on preparing family pets as well as evacuation routes, emergency kit supplies, calling 2-1-1 and emergency contact numbers for many State agencies including the Louisiana State Police. Animal owners can also get the latest LSART Shelter and Evacuation Manual at www.lsart.org .

FEMA has DVDs available in both English and Spanish to help residents with planning for pets in emergencies. Log on to www.fema.gov or call FEMA Publications toll free at 1-800-480-2520 and ask about “Animals in Emergencies: What Planners Need to Know” and “Animals in Emergencies: What Owners Need to Know.” Each DVD contains a video presentation on pet preparedness as well as supplemental material designed to assist in planning.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Media Contacts:

Don Jacks, FEMA
225-326-3006 / 225-346-5600

Veronica Mosgrove, GOHSEP
225-573-3718 / 225-358-5667
vmosgrove@OHSEP.louisiana.gov

Allison Hadley, GOHSEP
225-925-3966
ahadley@OHSEP.louisiana.gov

Governor's Office

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Parish Contact Directory

FEMA