Animal Disaster Prepardness
Bustin' our paws to save your tails!
The number one reason people refuse to evacuate their homes during an emergency is because they don’t want to leave a pet behind
Who we are and what we do:
Cat Ranch Rescue is a 501c3 non profit lifetime cat sanctuary located in Graham County, North Carolina. We provide information to the public on disaster preparedness for your pets.
Read below for more information.
"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.
-- Immanuel Kant
-- Immanuel Kant
This is the CAMET training video they filmed while we were taking the NC CAMET Train the Trainer Class. You will see us in the video if you look close!
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Disaster preparedness for you and your pet
People trying to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina
Are you prepared?
Emergency managers know from experience that the number one reason people refuse to evacuate during a disaster is that for many people, pets are part of the family. People are simply unwilling to abandon their family in a disaster.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act in 2006, requiring plans for the evacuation of pets, as well as people.
"For the first time, there was the realization of the strength of the human-animal bond," said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "That sparked incredible changes on state and federal levels requiring that pets be included in all evacuation plans."
Emergency managers know from experience that the number one reason people refuse to evacuate during a disaster is that for many people, pets are part of the family. People are simply unwilling to abandon their family in a disaster.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act in 2006, requiring plans for the evacuation of pets, as well as people.
"For the first time, there was the realization of the strength of the human-animal bond," said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "That sparked incredible changes on state and federal levels requiring that pets be included in all evacuation plans."
Don't let your pet end up like this by not being prepared!
What to do:
Information provided by the American Red Cross
The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it's not safe for you to stay behind then it's not safe to leave pets behind either. Take action now so you know how to best care for your furry friends when the unexpected occurs.
Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pets
The ASPCA recommends using a rescue sticker alert to let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes the types and number of pets in your household and your veterinarian's phone number.
If you must evacuate with your pets (and if time allows) write "EVACUATED" across the stickers so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for them.
Make Family Prepardness Easy with One-Minute Drills
In an effort to help you and your family prepare now, here are some one-minute drills that are short on time, but big on impact.
Drill 1 – Get a Kit
Visit the American Red Cross Store and buy the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit. That’s it. You are already done with this step. Easy, right?
Drill 2 – Discuss Kit Rules
Once you get the kit, make sure that everyone knows where it is and that the items are to be used for emergencies only. You don't want someone taking the water packet from the kit just because they don't want to make the trip to the kitchen.
Drill 3 – Personalize Your Kit
Have each family member pick their favorite canned foods and personal items and add them to the kit.
Drill 4 – Make an Evacuation Plan
This is much easier and less time consuming than it seems. Pull out a map and highlighter and determine two or three destinations and the routes to get there.
Drill 5 – Be Informed
It is important to know what natural disasters can affect your area and what to do in the event of one striking. Read through the appropriate Disaster and Emergency guides. Watch the weather and stay on top of the news if a hurricane or other severe weather is predicted to come your way. If local authorities are telling you to evacuate, then EVACUATE! If you followed the drills above, then you already have an evacuation plan.
Help Prevent America's Biggest Disaster Threat: Home Fires
In 2010, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 home fires that’s one every eight minutes! But unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.
Reduce Your Risk Your home may be full of fire hazards that you aren’t aware of. From your kitchen stove, to a romantic candle, to festive holiday lights, common household items can turn dangerous very quickly. Our fire safety fact sheets will help you learn to use them more safely – or decide that some items simply aren’t worth the risk.
Plan to Survive The most important things to save in a fire are lives: you, your family and your pets. And the first step is knowing that a fire is occuring.
The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.
In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it's not safe for you to stay behind then it's not safe to leave pets behind either. Take action now so you know how to best care for your furry friends when the unexpected occurs.
Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pets
- Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.)
- Contact hotels and motels outside your local area to check their policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if "no pet" policies can be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with your disaster supplies.
- Ask friends, relatives or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals.
- Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
- Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets during a disaster.
- Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container) and a First Aid kit.
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
- Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
- Food, drinkable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and manual can opener.
- 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.
- Pet bed or toys if easily transportable.
The ASPCA recommends using a rescue sticker alert to let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes the types and number of pets in your household and your veterinarian's phone number.
If you must evacuate with your pets (and if time allows) write "EVACUATED" across the stickers so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for them.
Make Family Prepardness Easy with One-Minute Drills
In an effort to help you and your family prepare now, here are some one-minute drills that are short on time, but big on impact.
Drill 1 – Get a Kit
Visit the American Red Cross Store and buy the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit. That’s it. You are already done with this step. Easy, right?
Drill 2 – Discuss Kit Rules
Once you get the kit, make sure that everyone knows where it is and that the items are to be used for emergencies only. You don't want someone taking the water packet from the kit just because they don't want to make the trip to the kitchen.
Drill 3 – Personalize Your Kit
Have each family member pick their favorite canned foods and personal items and add them to the kit.
Drill 4 – Make an Evacuation Plan
This is much easier and less time consuming than it seems. Pull out a map and highlighter and determine two or three destinations and the routes to get there.
Drill 5 – Be Informed
It is important to know what natural disasters can affect your area and what to do in the event of one striking. Read through the appropriate Disaster and Emergency guides. Watch the weather and stay on top of the news if a hurricane or other severe weather is predicted to come your way. If local authorities are telling you to evacuate, then EVACUATE! If you followed the drills above, then you already have an evacuation plan.
Help Prevent America's Biggest Disaster Threat: Home Fires
In 2010, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 home fires that’s one every eight minutes! But unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.
Reduce Your Risk Your home may be full of fire hazards that you aren’t aware of. From your kitchen stove, to a romantic candle, to festive holiday lights, common household items can turn dangerous very quickly. Our fire safety fact sheets will help you learn to use them more safely – or decide that some items simply aren’t worth the risk.
Plan to Survive The most important things to save in a fire are lives: you, your family and your pets. And the first step is knowing that a fire is occuring.
- Learn how to install and maintain smoke alarms to help protect your loved ones.
- When a smoke alarm goes off, will your family know how to escape? Plan and practice fire escape routes – ideally, two exits from every room.
- Make sure your emergency escape plans include the most vulnerable members of your household: children and pets. Follow the links to get specific tips for both.
More Information on disaster preparedenss
Hurricane Katrina leads to new laws
Wildfire Evacuation Protocol
ASPCA Disaster Preparedness
Hurricane Katrina leads to new laws
Wildfire Evacuation Protocol
ASPCA Disaster Preparedness