Emergency Preparedness - Planning for Large Animals


Preparing For Emergencies

Preparing for Large Animals
Being Ready
Saving Large Animals during and after a disaster strikes depends on planning ahead. The following will help you put a plan together.
Identification
Microchipping is the most humane and foolproof method of identifcation available. Also have photos of your Animals attached to an inventory list. Take pictures which include identifiable markings. Keep the list and photos in your emergency pack.
Marking halters and placing identification tags on halters provide easy identification if Animals are found. Another option are livestock markers or paint which are available through your feed store. It's a good idea to keep these on hand in case a disaster occurs after new Animals have been added and permanent identification has not been applied.
Food and Water
A three day supply of hay, feed and water is the recommended amount to take with you if evacuating. If you normally feed pelleted food, have a two week supply stored in airtight containers on hand to avoid potential sudden diet changes if you do not evacuate but are temporarily isolated. Rescue Organizations will hopefully get hay to you, but you can not count on your brand of pellets. Food should be rotated every three months.

Remember that power and therefore pumps may be out, so have a hand pump on hand and a generator. Kidney failure due to dehydration is one of the leading causes of death in Large Animals during disasters. Feed as close to normal time as usual to minimize stress.
First Aid and Medical Issues
Vaccination records are very important to have on hand during an emergency. Place them in your emergency pack.

Talk to your veterinarian about her disaster plan. If your Animals need medical attention during a disaster, you need to know who to call. Part of your planning and preperation should be creating a list of Vets, including your primary Vet, a second choice and an Emergency Veterinary Clinic.
Prepare an Emergency First Aid Kit. For items to include, see our Emergency Preperation Checklist. You will need to adjust the bandage sizes and wraps to an appropriate size for larger Animals. You may also want to include a book on first aid for Animals.

Have a two week supply of any long term medication in your emergency kit. If it is necessary to keep medications refrigerated, have a chemical ice pack ready in your freezer and a ice chest for storage as a part of your pack.
Evacuation and Evacuation Locations
Create a list of potential locations in advance. Check with stockyards, fairgrounds and local ranches regarding their policies and availability. Plan your route to as many temporary shelters as possible in advance.

Keep your vehicles ready to move at all times. Make arrangements with local haulers and neighbors ahead of time.

If evacuation is not possible, or unnecessary, plan on a preselected area appropriate for disaster type. Two of the leading causes of death in large Animals during disasters are electrocution from downed power lines and collapsed barns.
Miscellaneous
Have a battery operated radio and extra batteries on hand so that you can listen to the Emergency Broadcast System and stay adviced of conditions.
Have wire cutters in your emergency kit in case you need to get through a fence quickly, or assist an Animal caught in one. Have wire available for emergency repairs. A tarp may be necessary to protect hay and equipment. Have bleach and hoses on hand to deal with disenfecting areas of confinement.
Blankets, fly spray, buckets, a rake and shovel are good items to have as part of the evacuation pack.

Be sure you have halters, lead ropes, readily available.
During a Disaster
Evacuate as early as possible. If possible call your destination to make sure there is space available.

If you are leaving your Animals behind, leave food and water for three days out for them in your preselected area.
After a Disaster
Check pastures thoroughly for debris that can be dangerous and downed fences. Fencing failures are one of the four leading causes of death of Large Animals during disasters. Look out for Wildlife that may be unusually present.

The landscape of their home may have changed, causing confusion for the Animals in your care. They may need extra shepherding at first.

If you find stray Animals on your property, contact your County Animal Services. Use caution when approaching frightened Animals. If you loose Animals, contact local Shelters and Veterinarians. Begin searching immediately. Finally, stay in contact with your Vet so as to be aware of any disease outbreaks brought on by the unusual conditions.

Above all, get your plan together before you need it. For help in creating your plan, print out our Large Animal Disaster Preparedness Checklist.

Emergency Preperation Emergency Preperation Checklist
Large Animal Emergency Checklist Resources and Training Opportunities


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