DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK
The SPCA for Monterey County offers Disaster Preparedness information (below) and Disaster Preparedness kit checklists online (in both English and Spanish).  We also offer free Disaster Preparedness presentations to the community.  Please contact us for more information. 

Click Here to download this important information

Para leer ésta información en español, presione aquí

Click here for a Disaster Preparedness Kit Checklist

Please contact us if you would like to schedule a disaster preparedness presentation for your group

Disaster Preparedness For Pets and Livestock

Pet ownership requires a great deal of knowledge, time, patience and love.  Many animal owners may not always consider the need to plan for their pets in the event of a disaster.  A little planning and awareness before a disaster occurs can prevent tragedies afterwards.

The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services (OES) recommends that people should be prepared for disasters by taking the necessary steps to care for themselves for a minimum of 72 hours (but preferably at least seven days) after a disaster occurs.  This includes planning for no electricity or phone communications, as well as the possibility that services such as police, fire and ambulance will be extremely limited.  This recommendation should also extend to all pets and livestock.  And, if you are given an order to evacuate, please take your pets and livestock with you.  Any situation that is dangerous for you is also dangerous for your animals. 

The following recommendations are based on the experiences of The SPCA for Monterey County while assisting animal owners in fire, flood and earthquake situations.  Animal owners can take a few simple measures to prepare for disasters:

1.       Always have canned pet food and any needed livestock feed on hand.  In the case of disaster preparedness, it is recommended that pet owners maintain on hand a minimum of one week’s supply of pet food.  For livestock, one to two weeks of feed is recommended.  While this may seem excessive, consider that roads may be impassable, and even if your supplier has feed available, they may not be able to get feed delivered to you.

2.   Water poses another challenge as pets and livestock require clean, fresh water every day.  Consider that this may quickly become a serious problem if you rely on a well and have no electricity.  Keeping a generator on hand may help but consider too that a water system may be destroyed or contaminated in the event of an earthquake or flood.  Have on hand numerous 5 gallon plastic jugs (such as the type used for water coolers - available at most larger hardware stores) filled with water and stored in an accessible area.  Carry individual bottles of water (for you and your pets) in the trunk of your car at all times.    

Generally plan on 40 to 60 ml/kg/day, or about 1 oz of water per pound of body weight each day.  Note that water requirements can vary widely depending on the weather and your pet’s activity level, age, and medical conditions (i.e. diabetic animals will have increased requirements for water).  Your veterinarian should be able to provide specific recommendations for your pet(s).

If you currently rely solely on small automatic waterers, remember to have a large tub on hand to offer emergency water to your livestock.  Identify alternate sources of water (i.e. neighbors) as well as a method to transport all needed water. 

3.       As with your personal disaster preparedness kit, remember to include some items for your pets and livestock.  The following is a list if items that probably will be needed in the event of a disaster:

• Basic first aid items for injury (The SPCA can provide a list of recommended items.  Pet first aid kits are also available for purchase through the American Red Cross).

• Any needed medications.

• Halters and lead ropes for livestock; leashes and collars for pets; pet carriers and spare I.D. tags for dogs and cats. 

• “Evacsacs” or pillow cases for cats or small pets such as rabbits.

• Pet food and water bowls, manual can openers and plastic pet food can lids.

• Copies of current vaccination certificates, licensing, and microchip information as well as information on how to contact your veterinarian and local animal shelter in the event of an emergency. 

• Include some recent, full-body, color photos of your pets and photos of your pets with you in the picture in the event they are lost or separated from you.

Please refer to The SPCA’s free “Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Cats and Dogs” for more information and details.

4.   Provide and practice “disaster training” for your animals.  This will be very valuable in the event of a fire, flood or earthquake.  Horses should be comfortable loading in to trailers.  Dogs should have basic obedience training and be able to listen to you and respond to commands in an emergency.  Cats and small animals should be comfortable being placed in, and traveling in, pet carriers.

5.   Keep a current list of local hotels and motels that will accommodate pets.  This information is now available as a part of the “Pet-Friendly Listings” on The SPCA’s website at www.SPCAmc.org.  This list will come in handy during extended power outages, as well as disasters situations

Planning ahead for disasters can save lives and make a very stressful situation less severe. Please call The SPCA if you would like to schedule a disaster preparedness presentation.

Para leer ésta información en español, presione aquí

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