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Protect and shelter pets

Livestock preparedness checklist

Volusia Animal Preparedness
Volusia Animal Preparedness (VAP) is a cooperative effort among animal organizations in Volusia County. Members include dog and cat clubs, equine and livestock organizations, humane societies, veterinarians, animal control agencies, the American Red Cross, and the Volusia County Emergency Management Division. Our goal is to provide emergency and supportive care for people with animals in times of disaster.

Prepare before disaster hits
Disasters are diverse and devastating to everyone involved – including animals. Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, train derailments and explosions can leave pets helpless and homeless. Planning can save the lives of beloved companion animals and livestock.

Here are tips to help you prepare for a disaster:

• Ask dependable friends or relatives who live away from an at-risk area if you and your animal(s)
  can stay with them during an emergency.
• Develop an evacuation plan that includes your animals. Learn which area shelters and motels
  take companion animals and/or have a designated inland evacuation place.
• Identify local boarding kennels that may be able to shelter your pet. Find out who stays on the
  premises with the animals during emergencies and what provisions have been made if the kennel
  occupants need to evacuate.
• Find out which veterinary clinics have boarding facilities. Check their evacuation procedures.
• Stay tuned to your local news media for the safest evacuation routes.
• Be prepared to evacuate when advised by local government authorities. Have all supplies, kits,
  transportation and evacuation plans prepared. Don’t wait until an evacuation order is given to
  begin your planning. This can delay your safe evacuation and possibly expose you to traffic tieups, high winds and other unsafe conditions.
• Stock an animal emergency supply kit.
• All belongings should be marked with identification.
• Take first aid and CPR courses and keep the manuals handy. (The same basic principles apply to animals.)
• If you have exotic pets, contact the Florida Fish and Game Commission or a zoological garden in a
  safe area for assistance with shelter. Supply appropriate housing, food and water.

Pet emergency supply list

• Pet first aid kit, including medications.
• Shot records, ownership papers, and a current photo of each pet.
• Water bowls and bottled water in plastic bottles for three days per animal.
• Food bowls and food for three days per animal. Dry foods are recommended.
• Manual can opener.
• Disinfectant and cleanser to handle animal waste properly.
• Proper-sized pet carrier or crate for each animal. Take time to familiarize your pet with the carrier,
  which must be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around when inside.
• Towels and blankets, toys, brushes and combs.
• Leashes and collars with current license, identification and rabies tags attached securely, and muzzles if necessary.
• Paper towels and thick baby wipes.
• Old newspapers.
• Cat litter and disposable litter pans.
• Plastic bags.
• Flashlight and radio with extra batteries and bulbs.
• For large animals, pack livestock halters, leads, tape, rope, identification bands, fly spray and
  medical supplies including bandages. Include three days of food and water stored in waterproof
  containers.
• Emergency cash.

If you decide to stay home

• Remain calm and speak to your animal(s) regularly in a calm, reassuring voice.
• Bring companion animals indoors well before the disaster.
• Do not leave domestic pets outside or tied up.
• Prepare an area for companion animals inside the house away from windows. Pets will be most comfortable if they are secure in pet carriers.
• Let haltered livestock roam in large, woven wire (not barbed wire) fenced pastures away from
  possible flying debris. (For instance, tin roofs can be lethal.) There should be no overhead power
  lines. Provide uncontaminated water.
• Keep identification available such as photos, tattoos or bands.
• In case of flooding, provide access to high places such as countertops.
• Difficult, dangerous animals should be placed in special carriers to reduce the possibility of escape.

Do not leave companion animals home alone!

People and pet shelter
The members of Volusia Animal Prepardness are working to provide shelter for owners and their animals. In the event of a disaster, owners and their animals will be provided shelter at the Volusia County Fairgrounds on S.R. 44, one-quarter mile east of I-4, or other Volusia County designated pet friendly shelters.

All companion animals must have a current license, vaccinations, identification and rabies tags.

They must be confined in pet carriers or crates and must be under control at the facility at all times.

Some shelters in Volusia County have been designated “pet friendly.” Pet friendly means the owners and their animals can stay at the same shelter, but will be housed separately.

Animal identification

• Register your pet with the VAP Data Bank by using the form below.
• Microchip each pet and register them with the Volusia Animal Preparedness Data Bank.
• Tattoos are readable, permanent and safe from removal if applied to a pet’s belly or flank.
• However, tattoos are meaningless if they are not registered. Large pets should be at least four months old when tattooed. Small pets should be at least six - eight months old. Check with the humane societies or your veterinarian for information on tattooing.
• Livestock should have some type of identification, such as a leg band. Leg bands are available
  from equine organizations or the Agricultural Center in DeLand.
• Metal identification tags also will help.
• A picture of each animal with a matching identification number should be available. Include a
  close-up of any special identifying mark(s).

Important evacuation telephone numbers

American Red Cross
Daytona Beach ………...................…….…….. 226-1400

Halifax Humane Society
Daytona Beach ………...................…….…….. 274-4704

Southeast Volusia Humane Society
New Smyrna Beach ………...................…….…428-9860

West Volusia Humane Society
DeLand ………...............................…….…….. 734-2450

Volusia County Animal Control
Daytona Beach ………...................…….…….. 248-1790
DeLand ………...................……............ …….. 740-5241
New Smyrna Beach ………...................…….   423-3369

Agricultural Center
Daytona Beach ………...................…….…….. 257-6012
DeLand ………...................…….…….............. 822-5778
New Smyrna Beach ………...................…….…423-3368

(All numbers are 386 area code)  Do not call 911!

After the emergency

• Walk with your animal(s) on a leash until they become reoriented to their home. Do not allow animals to roam freely.
• Remember that downed power lines and other debris pose danger to you and your animals.
• Beware of standing water and other animals.
• Do not allow animals to consume food or water that may have become contaminated.

Animal identification form [PDF]
One of the most important steps you can take to prepare for a disaster is to pre-register your companion animal(s) with the Volusia Animal Preparedness Data Bank.

Registration will help return your pet after a disaster and will enable you to find shelter with your companion animal at the VAP shelter at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Place a copy of this form in plastic, on each animal pet
carrier.

If you and your pet plan to evacuate:

• Go to your predetermined shelter (family, friends, hotel/motel) or the shelter at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.
• Take needed items for you and your pet to be self-sufficient for up to seven days.

For a list of kennels and hotels/motels that can shelter your pet, please contact Volusia County Animal Services, or look through our list of pet friendly hotels in east Volusia

A directory of motels that accept small household pets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi is also available online.

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