We love our animals, often putting their needs before ours, don’t we?
So, I must ask: Are you heeding the warnings? Are you ready to flee at a moment’s notice with Grab & Go bags for you and your animals?
If not, you’re not alone.
And that’s why I and other key volunteer members of the Clallam County Animal Disaster Plan Committee have worked hard to put together a large and small animal disaster response plan under the supervision of Emergency Management Coordinator Justine Chorley.
We’re very close to submitting it for county approval. Once approved, it will be an addendum to the county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Should the Emergency Operating Center be activated during a catastrophic event, we’ve formed the Clallam Animal Response Team.
CART is a soon-to-be 501(c)(3) group of animal-savvy volunteers (to be registered as emergency workers with the county) who will set up and manage temporary animal specific shelters to help displaced humans know where they can take their animals during an emergent situation.
For those who don’t own livestock trailers, we will also have registered drivers, with trailers, to help transport horses, llamas and livestock to safer pastures.
Depending on the disaster, it may be up to 72 hours before emergency personnel arrive here. Much longer if Seattle and surrounding areas along the I-5 are affected.
This means it is critical to have a personal preparedness plan and supplies, should you need to shelter in place or evacuate.
In this day of climate uncertainty, we absolutely need to prepare now, in three ways, for a mega disaster.
• Get to know your neighbors. What if you’re not at home, and not able to get home to evacuate your animals? A close neighbor might agree to help, and vice-versa.
• Pack Grab & Go bags for all family members and animals. Each animal’s Grab & Go bag should include: Photos of you and your pet together and records of current vaccinations from your vet, including rabies and microchip numbers, in a waterproof bag or container; a three-day-plus supply of water; food (and any medication) for 15-30 days; bowls; a pocket knife or manual can opener; a fire resistant leash, collar, muzzle and/or harness; bags to handle animal waste; a pet carrier or crate; a pillow case; cat litter and pan; blankets; towels; and pet toys.
Equine and livestock’s Grab & Go bag includes: photos of you and your pet together; fire resistant non-nylon lead and halter; ear tags or body paint for identification; vaccine and health records; medications with written instructions; farrier tools to remove or re-nail shoes, or barefoot hoof boots; and food, supplements and water for 7-30 days (greater amount if using your own horse trailer).
• Shelter in place. Keep on hand a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to receive local emergency updates and announcements as well as a first-aid kit and a minimum one-month supply of food and staples for each family member, including pets.
I know it can be costly, but you can gradually stock up on non-perishable food and items (like toilet paper) you already use on a regular basis. Just keep rotating the items new to old. That way you’re not throwing away those survival canisters of food you bought and never touched during the pandemic, or even Y2K.
Daily medications can be more difficult to stock up on. Try refilling just one day earlier to slowly build up a small supply. If not, be sure to keep a small bottle of over-the-counter medications, such as Ibuprofen, aspirin or Tylenol, or anything that could help you endure being without on a temporary basis
Please help CART to better respond to helping animals by taking this Animal Disaster Plan Survey at clallamcountywa.gov/civicalerts.aspx?aid=474.
Stop by to see CART at the Safety Fair on Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Guy Cole Center! For more information, or to contact us, visit the CART Facebook page; leave a text or voicemail for me at 360-460-6299; or email kbg@olympus.net.
