September is National Disaster Preparedness Month

When a disaster strikes, there is often little time to prepare our homes, families, and pets for the damage to come. Thankfully, disaster relief teams, such as the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), can help in times of need.

Angela Clendenin, public information officer for the VET, explained the multiple responsibilities of the team.

“People are often unable to evacuate their pets to safety before a disaster hits, which may mean separation from owners and access to food and clean water,” Clendenin said. “The debris and pollutants in the environment as a result of a disaster can also lead to injuries. The VET serves to provide support for animal care until the local veterinary community is able to take over and care for their fellow residents and their pets.”

Another responsibility of the VET is providing veterinary support and care to the search and rescue canines operating in the disaster area.

“Veterinary care has been shown to extend the ability of search and rescue dogs to work in the field from three to four days, to six to eight days,” Clendenin said.

As Texans recover from the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Harvey, the VET is deployed and helping furry friends that were impacted by the disaster. Luckily for animals in the area, the VET is experienced in treating multiple species. Additionally, the VET is equipped to help animals in any health condition.

“The types of injuries the VET sees include burns, salt toxicity, toxicity due to contaminated water or grass, lacerations, broken bones, snake bites, and injuries due to flying debris,” Clendenin said. “Most of the diagnostic and treatment tools used by the VET is similar to that found in any veterinary clinic, but one unique piece of equipment developed and used by the VET is a self-contained decontamination unit. The unit is designed to allow two people to safely and effectively wash and rinse contaminants off dogs and smaller mammals. Contaminated water is then collected in a tank for appropriate disposal.”

As part of National Disaster Preparedness Month, Clendenin reminded pet owners to make an emergency pet kit for when disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, impact our lives.

“One of the best ways to prepare your pet for a potential disaster is to create a ‘go kit’ of necessary documents and supplies, which people can easily grab and transport with them in the event of an evacuation,” Clendenin said. “In the case that pet and livestock owners get separated, this kit should include photos of pets and descriptions of where livestock is located, using GIS coordinates, if possible. Ensuring your pets and livestock are microchipped or visibly tagged or marked is also a way to identify animals and establish ownership.”

In addition, be sure to pack a few days’ supply of food, water, medications, and comfort items for your pets. If you would like more information on what to pack in your emergency kit, Clendenin recommended visiting https://www.ready.gov/animals.

Disasters are unpredictable and can cause serious damage to our homes and loved ones, including our pets. A disaster can happen to anyone at any time, so be sure to take caution and prepare.

Preparing Your Pet For Disaster

No matter where you live, it is important to be prepared for the types of disasters that can occur in your area, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Some disasters can even be so devastating they require evacuation. In this case, Angela Clendenin, public information officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), said it is best to take your furry family members with you.

“After a disaster strikes, the area in and around homes can be quite dangerous for pets,” Clendenin said.

For example, downed power lines can create a tremendous danger for animals, especially where a power line has fallen into a home or backyard. Additionally, fencing that has fallen or broken into pieces also can cause injury or death in pets.

Though some choose not to evacuate during a disaster, Clendenin said for the safety of those in your home, including pets, it is best to leave early. In fact, Clendenin recommended evacuating as soon as the first notice is issued.

“When evacuation is delayed, roads can get jammed with traffic or become impassible with early flooding or debris,” Clendenin said. “For those who need assistance with evacuating animals, resources may become scarce or non-existent as the threat from the disaster gets closer. Evacuating early ensures that pets and their owners are able to get to safety before the disaster hits.”

Despite our best efforts, it can be hard to think clearly when preparing to evacuate. Gathering enough supplies for pets and family members can be stressful and take a lot of time—which is why Clendenin recommended making an emergency pet kit.

“One of the best ways to prepare your pet for a potential disaster is to create a ‘go kit’ of necessary documents and supplies, which people can easily grab and transport with them in the event of an evacuation,” Clendenin said. “In the case that pet and livestock owners get separated, this kit should include photos of pets and descriptions of where livestock is located, using GIS coordinates, if possible. Ensuring your pets and livestock are microchipped or visibly tagged or marked is also a way to identify animals and establish ownership.”

In addition, be sure to pack a few days’ supply of food, water, medications, and comfort items for your pets. If you would like more information on what to pack in your emergency kit, Clendenin recommended visiting https://www.ready.gov/animals.

Disasters are unpredictable and can affect anyone. Though we can’t control the weather, we can control how we react to disasters via our preparedness. If disaster is ever near your area, be sure to take caution and prepare your family and pets.