Steps to Developing an Animal Disaster Team and Plan

Virginia SART Summit – August 2-3, 2007

Steps to Developing an Animal Disaster Team and Plan in a Rural County

This is an outline of the steps taken in Fluvanna County, Virginia, to form an Animal Disaster Team, which eventually led to the development of our Animal Disaster Plan. Its implementation in another locality may be slightly different, given the unique aspects of that community. I hope you find it helpful!

• Contacted all the primary animal-serving groups in the county to attend an organizational meeting
• Explored online to find animal disaster plans from other localities
• Read our local emergency operations plan with the intention of writing the animal disaster plan in the same format so the two would coordinate
• Held meetings with key individuals: Environmental Health, the Health Department (on behalf of the Red Cross), the Deputy Chair of our Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), staff from Disaster Services of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Virginia Department of Transportation, and the animal disaster manager from the Charlottesville/Albemarle area.
• Developed a rough draft of an animal disaster plan that coordinated with the county plan for humans.
• Evaluated various districts within the county to identify the location of animals within those districts and potential human and animal resources.
• Contacted the owners of buildings that might possibly be used in case of an event (owners were identified through local contacts) by way of a mailing and follow up phone call.
• Contacted Department of Forestry for maps of our local flood plains, so that the individuals and animals in these areas could be identified.
• Placed ads in the free classifieds of our local newspapers hoping for donations of supplies and to solicit volunteers.
• Distributed the Animal Disaster Plan to Disaster Services at HSUS, local vets, our ASPCA representative, Farm Bureau representatives, local animal advocates, breeders, and anyone who had animal welfare at heart.
• Revised the animal disaster plan several times as feedback was received.
• Had the plan accepted and approved by our Local Emergency Planning Committee.
• Developed a Memo of Understanding for all stakeholders to sign.
• Had the plan adopted and approved by our local Board of Supervisors as an appendix to the local emergency operations plan.
• Requested and received approval from the county to designate appropriate public facilities for animal sheltering during an event.
• Developed protocol for processing incoming animals, feeding, watering, walking schedules and procedures, as well as breakdown procedures.
• Acquired processing forms from HSUS and adapted them for our local use.
• Contacted Virginia Federations of Humane Societies, HSUS, American Humane Association and United Animal Nations to identify trainings in our area. As members of our local emergency planning committee, we were obligated to pursue the online trainings offered by FEMA.
• Developed a volunteer base, which is updated regularly.

If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me – I’d love the opportunity to speak with you!

Dr. Jacqueline A. Meyers

County of Fluvanna

P.O. Box 540

Palmyra, VA 22963

Phone: 434-591-1933

Fax: 434-591-1934