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PLACE A "PET ALERT STICKER" AT
YOUR FRONT DOOR for anyone coming to evacuate your
pets. It will inform them of how many and what type you have
in your house. You can download a copy from
www.sbcounty.gov/acc. Select the Disaster Preparedness Link
and scroll to "Pet Alert Sticker". Be patient as it's a slow
download on a dial-up connection.
Good site for info: www.evacuatemypet.com/.
Plan
Ahead
It
may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your
animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until
disaster strikes to do your research. Also, plan for the
possibility that you may not be home when an evacuation is
called. Find a neighbor
you can trust to pick up your pets and bring them to you at a
predetermined location.
Dogs and cats should always wear properly
fitting collars, personal identification, rabies, and license tags.
Make sure all the information on the tags is current. Keep a leash
handy for each dog and cat in your home. Consider using a harness
for better control of the animal. They will react to your
stress and may be unpredictable during the
evacuation.
Birds, reptiles, and
pocket pets may require special carriers to maintain them during the
evacuation. Remember to
take bedding material.
Decide where to take your horses in advance.
Contact fairgrounds, equestrian centers, and private farms/stables
about their policies and ability to take horses temporarily in an
emergency. Have several sites in mind. Familiarize yourself with
several evacuation routes to your destination. Identification is
critical! If your horse
does not have a permanent tattoo, you can use a tag on the halter or
neck band, put the information on duct tape and stick on horse, or
just write on the horse with permanent marker if you have nothing
else. Make sure to
include your name and phone number and take the identification
papers with you when you evacuate because you might need to claim
your horse later.
Additional
horse evacuation tips
can be obtained from the Humane Society of the United
States www.HSUS.org You
must consider different types of disasters and whether your horses
would be better off in a barn or loose in a field. Your local humane
organization, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency
management agency may be able to provide you with information about
your community's disaster response plans as it relates to large
animals.
Here’s
a checklist of the basic tips on evacuations which can be used for
all types of animals.
·
Have
your animal carrier or horse trailer ready. If a fire is in your area,
you might want to make arrangements in advance of the evacuation to
have it nearby. Your
animal needs to be comfortable and not frightened by being placed in
the carrier or trailer.
Practice the procedure in advance.
·
Inform
friends and neighbors of your evacuation plan.
·
Place
your Pet Information Sheet, photos, and related papers in a
watertight envelope and store it with your other important papers
that you will take when the evacuation happens. If you have a horse, take
its Coggins tests with you.
·
Keep
leashes and halters at the ready.
·
Put
together a basic first aid kit that is portable and easily
accessible.
·
There
may be times when taking your animals is impossible during an
emergency. Contact the
organizations we’ve provided to find the tips for that
possibility.
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED WITH ANIMAL
EVACUATION
The following list is just a sampling of the
groups who provide information on animal evacuations. Each is a good source when
investigating disaster preparedness for your pets and
livestock.
The
American Red Cross
(ARC)
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html
The
Red Cross sets up most disaster shelters for evacuees but do
not take animals. They
will have information on the local groups who might be able to take
your animals but it’s always better to prepare in advance in the
event that their referrals have no room for your pets. There
are two chapters serving San Bernardino County:
American
Humane Association www.americanhumane.org/ Animals, as well as
people, are often victims of disasters. Through an agreement with
the American National Red Cross, AHA provides on-site rescue and
relief for animal victims of disaster. AHA maintains an Emergency
Animal Relief Fund to provide desperately needed funds to local
animal welfare agencies attempting to meet animals' needs when
disaster strikes.
The
Humane Society of the US
1-202-452-1100 http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/
or The Humane Society of San
Bernardino Valley 909-386-1443 www.hssbv.org. The Humane Society
of the United
States is the nation's largest
animal-protection organization, with more than 3.5 million
constituents. The HSUS was founded in 1954 to promote the humane
treatment of animals and to foster respect, understanding, and
compassion for all
creatures.
Create a Pet Disaster
Plan
The
following information has been prepared by the Humane Society of the United
States
in cooperation with the American Red Cross.
Our
pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they
depend on us for their safety and well-being. Here's how you can be
prepared to protect your pets when disaster strikes. Planning
and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly
and safely, but bear in mind that animals react differently under
stress.
Different
disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is
an earthquake 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. Leaving pets behind, even
if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in
their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when
you and your pets may have to leave your home.
Often,
warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint
of disaster, act to protect your pet. Call ahead to confirm
emergency shelter arrangements for your pets. Check to be sure your pet
disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice. Bring all pets into the
house so that you won't have to search for them if you have to leave
in a hurry. Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and
securely fastened up-to-date identification. Attach the phone number
and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a
friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary
tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet's ID tag, adding
information with an indelible pen.
Create a Pet Disaster Supply
Kit
Have
it ready whether you are away from home for a day or a week as
you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place
and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily
(duffle bags, covered trash containers, etc.). Your pet disaster
supplies kit should include:
·
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,
potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and 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
beds and toys, if easily transportable.
CREATE
A LIST OF VITAL PET INFORMATION IN ADVANCE. You
may be required to provide this information at the location you are
sheltering your animal.
Fill out one document for each animal, large or small. Use the blank lines for
information specific to your breed. Place this document, along
with the photos with your family’s
personal information and the other important papers that you
can “grab
it and go”
when the evacuation happens.
Also, why don’t
you keep a copy at another location in case you forget to take
it?
YOUR
PET’S
VITAL INFORMATION
|
Pet’s
Name |
|
Breed,
Size and Age |
|
Distinguishing
Marks |
|
ID
Tag, License, Microchip or Tattoo |
|
Vaccinations
(including Rabies) |
|
Medications
and Special Instructions |
|
Veterinarian
(address & telephone) |
|
Animal
Hospital
(address & telephone) |
|
Emergency
Pet Sitter (address &
telephone) |
|
Boarding
Facility (address and telephone) |
|
Behavioral
Problems |
|
Other
Information |
|
Pet
Photo (attach) |
|
Photo
of You and Your Pet (attach) |
|
Registration
Data (for horses) |
|
|
|
|
|
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ANIMAL BOARD & CARE IN A
DISASTER
Red
Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health
and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals
that assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in
Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find
shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead.
Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.
In
advance, prepare a list of family, friends, board and care
facilities and veterinarians outside of the affected area who could
shelter your animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers
and addresses.
If
you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable if kept
together, but be prepared to house them separately.
Contact
hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on
accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if
"no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of
"pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster
information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending
disaster, call ahead for reservations. A
complete listing of hotels and motels that are “Pet Friendly”
establishments can be found at www.dogfriendly.com.
Ask
local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster
care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened
caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced
by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.
CREATE A FIRST AID KIT FOR EACH OF YOUR
PETS
The
basics are: Pet first aid book, muzzle, 3% hydrogen peroxide,
sterile eye wash, antiseptic cream/wipes, penlight, pet
thermometer,thermal blanket, leash, harness/halter/leads (if horse),
paint sticks for splints, towels/washcloths, gauze pads, adhesive
bandages/tape, antibiotic ointment, scizzors, grooming
clippers, cold pack, vet records, emergency phone numbers,
disposable latex gloves, syringe/eyedropper, and cotton-tipped
applicators.
You
can download a digital copy of this list at: www.sbcounty.gov/acc.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE
NUMBERS
San
Bernardino
County
Vector Control
1 800
422-2283 or 909 388-4600.
Shelters:
(Days
of operation and hours may vary. Please call before visiting
the shelter.)
Victor Valley Animal Shelter
21779
Zuni Road
Apple Valley, CA
(760)
247-2102
Barstow Humane
Society & Animal Shelter
2480 East Main Street
Barstow, CA
(760) 252-4800
Big
Bear Animal Shelter
Northshore Road/Stanfield Cutoff
Big Bear
City, CA
(909) 866-4943
San
Bernardino County Animal Shelter
19777
Shelter
Way
Devore,
CA
(909)
887-8055
Hesperia Animal Shelter
San Bernardino
11011 Santa Fe Ave
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 947-1727
Morongo Basin Humane Society
4646
Sunview Ave
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
(760) 366-3786
West End Shelter
1010 East Mission Boulevard
Ontario, CA
(909) 947-3517
Rancho Cucamonga Animal
Shelter
11780 Arrow Route
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(909)
466-7387
Redlands Animal Shelter
504 North Kansas
Redlands, CA
(909) 798-7644
San
Bernardino City Animal Control
333 Chandler Place
San
Bernardino, CA 92408-2097
(909) 384-1304
Twenty Nine
Palms Animal Shelter
7086 Bullion Avenue
Twenty Nine Palms,
CA
(760) 367-0157
Upland City Animal Shelter
860 E.
15th Street
Upland, CA 91786
(909) 931-4185
P.A.W.S.
860 E. 15th Street
Upland, CA 91786
(909) 982-1909
http://www.geocities.com/enjoypets/
Yucca Valley Animal Shelter
56460 Paseo Las Ninal
Yucca Valley, CA
(760) 365-3111
Animal
Emergency Care
San
Bernardino County Animal Care & Control Program 24
hour helpline 1-800 472-5609
www.sbcounty.gov/acc
At
the link, select your city to see the veterinarians in your
area.
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Veterinarians+&+Animal+Hospitals/S-CA/Y-San+Bernardino/
Emergency
Hospitals
Animal
Emergency Clinic
12022
La Crosse Avenue
Grand
Terrace, CA
(909)
825-9350 or 909-783-1300
Emergencies
Only
Hours:
Monday - Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 am
Open
24 hours on weekends and holidays
Animal
Emergency Clinic
15532
Bear Valley Road
Victorville,
CA
(760)
962-1122
Hours:
Monday - Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 am
Saturdays
12 noon - 8:00 am on Monday
Open
24 hours on holidays
Inland
Valley
Emergency Pet Clinic
10
W. 7th
Street
Upland,
CA
(909)
931-7871
Hours:
Monday - Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 am
Saturdays
12 noon - 8:00 am on Monday
Open
24 hours on holidays
Animal
Emergency Clinic of the Desert
72374
Ramon Road
Thousand
Palms, CA
(760)343-3438
Hours:
Monday - Friday 5:00 pm - 8:00 am
Saturdays
12 noon - 8:00 am on Monday
Open
24 hours on holidays
A FINAL WORD
If you
must evacuate, do not leave your animals behind. Evacuate them to a
prearranged safe location if they cannot stay with your during the
evacuation period. (Remember, pets are not allowed in Red Cross
shelters.) If there is a possibility that disaster may strike while
you are out of the house, there are precautions you can take to
increase your pets' chances of survival, but they are not a
substitute for evacuating with your pets. For more information,
contact The Humane Society of
the United
States, Disaster Services,
2100 L Street
NW, Washington,
DC 20037.
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