Livestock Considerations

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Livestock Animal Evacuation Considerations

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.

Livestock Animal Evacuation Considerations

Sheltering in Pasture

If evacuation isn’t possible, you must decide whether to confine large animals to available shelter on your farm or leave them loose in pastures. While it may seem that animals will be safer inside barns, in many circumstances confinement can reduce their ability to protect themselves. Survey your property for the best location for shelter. If your pasture area meets the following criteria, in some types of non-fire disasters such as wind storms, your large animals may be better off in the pasture than being evacuated: • No easily-uprooted trees, if wind is a concern • No overhead power lines or poles • No debris or sources of blowing debris • No barbed-wire fencing • Enough acreage to avoid hazards (blowing debris, flooded areas, etc.) Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, make sure that you have adequate and safe fencing or pens to separate and group animals appropriately. If you cannot reasonably evacuate animals, work with local authorities to make a plan. Contact them well in advance to learn what capabilities exist in your area, and the most effective communication procedure.

Evacuation

■ Evacuate animals as soon as possible. Be ready to leave as soon the evacuation is recommended. If an early evacuation notice is given, leave right away, especially if you have multiple animals to transport or will be hauling a high-profile trailer in windy conditions.

■ Work with neighbors, 4H clubs, etc. to establish safe alternative shelters for farm animals.

In El Paso County, shelters are typically established at the Fairgrounds and/or Penrose arena, and several private stables. Confirmed shelter locations may vary depending on circumstances.

■ Become familiar with at least two possible vehicle evacuation routes well in advance, and make plans for evacuation on foot if necessary.

■ Set up safe transportation including well-maintained trucks and trailers suitable for livestock and appropriate for each type of animal, along with experienced handlers and drivers. Take all your disaster supplies with you or make sure they will be available at your evacuation site.

These include feed, water, veterinary supplies, handling equipment, tools, bedding, etc.

■ If your animals are sheltered off your property, make sure that they remain in familiar groupings, securely contained and sheltered from the elements.

Always have at least a two-week supply of animal feed on hand, in case of sheltering in place, evacuation, or supply chain interruption.