Livestock Animal Evacuation Considerations
Resources
Planning Resources
Prepare an evacuation plan for large animals. Your plan should include a list of resources such as trucks, trailers, pasture and/or feed which might be needed in an evacuation, as well as a designated person who will unlock gates and doors and make your facility easily accessible to emergency personnel if you are not available. Make sure that everyone who lives, works, or boards at your barn is familiar with the plan. If you must leave animals behind, post a highly visible sign (either on a window or a door) letting rescue workers know the species and number of animals which remain. Leave plenty of food and water with care instructions. If your animal becomes lost, call or visit the nearest animal shelter or emergency command post. Some of the most common reasons for animal loss or injury in a disaster are collapsed shelters, dehydration, electrical injuries, and fencing failures. Barn fires are also a serious danger. ■ FIRST: Have a plan and take precautions to protect you and your family. ■ NEXT: Make a disaster plan to protect animals and property. ■ Create an emergency telephone number list, including ranch employees, neighbors, veterinarian, poison control office, local animal shelter, animal care and control office, county extension service, trailering resources, and local volunteers. Give family members and employees printed copies and post it in your barn or animal shelter. ■ Share animal care instructions with neighbors who could help in a disaster. ■ Train large animals to load into and ride in trailers.
■ Make sure every animal is marked for identification. ■ Identify necessary alternate water and power sources in your pasture. A generator with a safely stored supply of fuel may be essential, depending on your farm or ranch operation. ■ In case of an impending wind event, secure or remove anything that could become wind-blown debris, including trailers, boats, feed troughs, propane tanks. ■ Keep heat sources safe, secured and clear of flammable debris. ■ Label hazardous materials and place them all in the same safe area with a posted label. Provide information about their location to local fire and rescue agency
This section was developed with assistance from the El Paso County Cooperative Extension Service, and The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
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