{"id":4111,"date":"2021-03-06T23:32:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T23:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animalhealthfoundation.net\/blog\/?p=4111"},"modified":"2021-03-06T23:32:51","modified_gmt":"2021-03-06T23:32:51","slug":"ahf-donates-20000-toward-2-pet-disaster-relief-trailers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalhealthfoundation.org\/blog\/2021\/03\/ahf-donates-20000-toward-2-pet-disaster-relief-trailers\/","title":{"rendered":"AHF Donates $20,000 Toward 2 Pet Disaster Relief Trailers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fire season — for those of us who call Southern California home, this is an all too well-known time of year when blue skies turn amber, and we again remember that we were supposed to prepare a \u201cgo bag\u201d after the prior year\u2019s fire season (more on this later).<\/p>\n

This year, we are happy to report that the County of Orange and OC Animal Care Services (https:\/\/www.ocgov.com\/gov\/occr\/animal\/<\/a>) has expanded its ability to respond to public emergencies like those experienced during fire season.\u00a0 In 2019, the\u00a0Animal Health Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0donated $20,000 towards the acquisition of two mobile AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers for OC Animal Care Services.\u00a0 This donation, along with a $2,000 sponsorship from Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association of Orange County (www.shorelinedfa.homestead.com<\/a>) and a donation of $2,000 from Noble Friends Foundation for OC Animal Care (www.noblefriendsfoundation.org<\/a>), ensured that OC Animal Care Services was able to procure these much needed emergency resources.\u00a0 The trailers are stocked with critical supplies that are used to create safe temporary shelter for pets displaced by natural and other disasters.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jennifer Hawkins, Chief Veterinarian at OC Animal Care Services, knows well the challenges of providing refuge and care for animals while striving to continue and foster the human-animal bond in the midst of an emergency.\u00a0 In an interview conducted with Dr. Hawkins, she noted that one of the primary challenges associated with community evacuations is assuring people with pets and service animals that they will not be separated upon arrival at an evacuation site.\u00a0 Rather than risk separation or face the possibility of being denied entry, people who have pets may refuse evacuation orders and elect to stay in harm\u2019s way as they are unwilling to leave their animals behind (https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5551593\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PETS Act) was signed into federal law on October 6, 2006.\u00a0 The PETS Act requires that State and local emergency preparedness plans \u201caddress the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency;\u201d the PETS Act is further reinforced by measures in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) and the National Response Framework (NRF) (www.avma.org<\/a>).\u00a0 Consistent with this legislation, OC Animal Care Services and its response to natural disasters and other emergencies is well-integrated into the County of Orange\u2019s Emergency Operations Center (EOC); however, as Dr. Hawkins advised, the EOC is only activated if two or more cities in the County are involved.<\/p>\n

Importantly, deployment of the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers is not dependent wholly on activation of the EOC.\u00a0 Dr. Hawkins envisions that the trailers will also serve to extend the services provided by OC Animal Care Services, such as in cases of animal hoarding.\u00a0 For example, in May 2019, over 140 dogs seized from a home in Orange, CA required temporary care and management by OC Animal Care Services.\u00a0 Though able to accommodate the large influx of animals, future similar cases may tax the existing infrastructure of OC Animal Care Services whose shelter in Tustin, CA can typically accommodate 200 dogs and 200 cats.<\/p>\n

Each AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailer contains critical reusable and disposable supplies capable of supporting up to 65 small domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits) for 72 hours.\u00a0 The trailers are stocked with items necessary to house animals (crates, carriers, and bowls), provide and confirm identification (collars, microchips, and a microchip scanner), cleaning, and maintenance supplies.\u00a0 In addition, each trailer has lighting and is wired for electricity that may be run off either a generator or 110v power supply (https:\/\/www.akcreunite.org\/relief\/<\/a>).\u00a0 Dr. Hawkins envisions that trailers will be deployed adjacent to evacuation shelters put in place by the American Red Cross (and similar agencies) so that families may remain in close proximity to their pets.<\/p>\n

Dr. Hawkins noted the critical importance of keeping pets and service animals together with their families in times of disaster commenting that \u201canimals do better when they are in a home setting with their humans.\u201d\u00a0 Though the AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers do not come stocked with all of the comforts of home, they will function to sustain and uphold one of the tenants central to both the\u00a0Animal Health Foundation<\/strong>\u00a0and OC Animal Care Services — that of the mutually beneficial human-animal bond.<\/p>\n

To remain sustainable, each trailer will require restocking of its disposable supplies.\u00a0 Donations, such as those received from private individuals and the California Veterinary Medical Foundation will be needed to replenish supplies after each deployment.\u00a0 Persons interested in providing donations to OC Animal Care Services may do so by going to:\u00a0https:\/\/www.ocpetinfo.com\/involve\/donate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, a little more about that \u201cgo bag\u201d that we all keep meaning to prepare\u2026<\/p>\n

Dr. Hawkins\u2019 was adamant about the importance of being prepared with plans that are proactive and not reactive.\u00a0 She noted that \u201cpreparedness can mitigate the effects of \u201cmessy\u201d disasters and reduce the \u201cnoise\u201d of its response.\u201d\u00a0 Veterinary professionals, such as those represented by the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, are poised perfectly to serve as disaster preparedness planners and educators for their community.\u00a0 To that end, Dr. Hawkins\u2019 noted, \u201cgo bags\u201d for pets and service animals should contain, at a minimum, three days of food and medication, comfort items, and copies of relevant veterinary records (e.g., prescriptions, vaccination records).\u00a0 Owners also need to have a prepared evacuation plan in place.\u00a0 Key resources to help your clients (and you) be prepared in advance for the next emergency or natural disaster include:<\/p>\n