Hurricane Preparedness for Pet Owners with

Special NeedsBy Megan White, Ph.D. StudentWalden UniversityPUBH 8165-1Instructor: Dr. Raymond ThronWinter 2010

Facts and Figures• There are over 72 million pet dogs and 81 million pet cats, with

many households owning more than one pet (U. S. Census Bureau, 2010).

• A study by Heath, Kass, Beck, and Glickman found “owning pets appeared to be the most significant reason why households without children failed to evacuate” (2001, p. 663).

• A study on Hurricane Katrina survivors reported “pet loss was found to be associated with significantly higher levels of psychopathology, including acute stress and peri-traumatic dissociation, as well as symptoms of depression and PTSD” (Hunt, Al-Awadi, and Johnson, 2008, p. 117).

PETS Act of 2006• The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of

2006 was passed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.• “The PETS Act authorizes FEMA to provide rescue, care,

shelter, and essential needs for individuals with household pets and service animals, and to the household pets and animals themselves following a major disaster or emergency” (American Veterinary Medical Association, n.d., para. 4).

• State and local governments, non-profit agencies, and private companies work together to develop and implement policies and procedures that protect the welfare of animals during a disaster.

Sheltering in Pinellas County• Pinellas County hurricane shelters will not accept pets.• Animal shelters will not accept your pets for boarding.• There are 3 pet-friendly shelters in Pinellas County:

– Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater– Thurgood Marshall Middle School in St. Petersburg– Dunedin Middle School in Dunedin

• Boarding Kennels– Make sure it is in non-evacuation zone– Requires advance registration

• Pet-friendly hotels– Requires advance registration

Special Needs Pet Transportation Program

• In cooperation with Pinellas County Animal Services and the SPCA of Tampa Bay, the Bay Area Disaster Animal Response Team (DART), will arrange to pick up your pet, transport the pet to an animal shelter for care, and return your pet when you return home after the storm.

• This program was designed to provide you with peace of mind about your pets when you are ordered to evacuate.

• You can be assured that your pet will be safe and cared for during the storm and returned to you after you have returned home.

Special Needs Program Registration• You must pre-register for the Special Needs

Program.– Call Pinellas County Emergency Management at 727-464-3800 for

registration paperwork.– Visit this link for the Special Needs Registration Form to fill out the

online version or download, print, and fax to 727-464-4024.– You should also contact your local fire department or home health

agency.

• Once registered, you will be assigned a Special Needs Volunteer who will be responsible for transporting your pet to an animal shelter for care during the storm.

Be Prepared

• Make a Plan• Build a Disaster Kit• Register for the Program• Stay Informed• Be Safe

Make a Plan• Make your evacuation plan well in advance of

the start of hurricane season (June 1st).• Make sure your pet has proper identification –– Collar and ID Tag with current information– Microchip and/or tattoo

• Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date and keep that information handy.

Build a Disaster Kit• Enough pet food and medication for two weeks• Vaccinations and medical history records• Food and water dishes• Crate or carrier (1 per pet) – labeled with your name– Cat carriers must be able to house a litter pan– Dogs must be able to stand up and turn around• Leashes and collars• Litter pan and scoop for cats• Favorite toys, blankets, or beds• Current photo of you with your pet

Before the Storm• Be sure to have all necessary items for your pet disaster supply kit

in advance of the evacuation order.• Bring your pet indoors at first sign of a storm. They may get scared

or confused and wander off.• When the evacuation order is given, your Special Needs Volunteer

will call you to make arrangements to pick up your pet.• Please put your pet in the crate and place the pet disaster supply kit

next to it.• If the fire department arrives before the Special Needs Volunteer,

do not worry, the fire department will take your pet to either the SPCA shelter or Pinellas County Animal Services.

During the Storm• At the shelter, the pets will be safe and cared

for until they can be reunited with their owners.

After the Storm• When you have returned home, contact your assigned

Special Needs Volunteer and they will transport your pet home from the shelter.

• When you walk your animals outside for the first few days, keep them on a leash as once familiar sights and smells may have changed. Keep your cats safe inside your house.

• Watch for unusual behavior in your pets – stressful situations can cause your pets to act differently.

• Be careful of wildlife that may have been displaced by flooding.

• Watch where you walk - downed power lines and stagnant water are harmful to your pets.

If you have additional questions about the Special Needs

Pet Transportation Program, contact

Pinellas County Animal Services12450 Ulmerton Rd

Largo, FL 33774727-582-2600

Additional Resources• American Red Cross –

Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Pet Safety

Resources• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Information

for Pet Owners• List of Pet-friendly Hotels• The Humane Society of the United States – Disaster

Preparedness Tips for Pet Owners

Your Pets Will Thank You

Background by Christina Povall

Created for Bay Area DART SPCA of Tampa Bay

Pinellas County Animal Services

ReferencesAmerican Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). PETS Act FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.avma.org/disaster/petsact_faq.asp

Heath, S. E., Kass, P. H., Beck, A. M., and Glickman, L. T. (2001). Human and pet-related risk factors for household evacuation failure during a natural disaster. American Journal of Epidemiology, 153(7), 659-665.

Hunt, M., Al-Awadi, H., and Johnson, M. (2008). Psychological sequelae of pet loss following Hurricane Katrina. Anthrozoos, 21(2), 109-121. doi:10.2752/175303708X305765

United States Census Bureau. (2010). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010 [Table 1204. Household Pet Ownership: 2006]. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1204.pdf