AVMA resources available for National Preparedness Month

September marks National Preparedness Month, and this year's theme is "Start a Conversation."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which sponsors the annual campaign, encourages individuals and organizations to talk about steps they've taken to prepare in case of an emergency and to ask others questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

By being prepared, a person is helping ensure that first responders can focus on emergencies and that they can be self-sufficient during the first few days after disaster strikes and before help arrives.

Save the Whole Family guides include resources such as emergency contact cards and tips to make sure pets will be cared for and increase the chances of families being reunited.

The AVMA has updated its disaster preparedness guides that help not only pet owners but also farmers be ready to safeguard their animals in the event of extreme weather events, such as fires, floods, and earthquakes, or human-made disasters such as chemical spills, nuclear incidents, and terrorism.

"Save the Whole Family: Disaster Preparedness for Households with Pets" is a free, downloadable booklet filled with tips, checklists, and information for companion animal owners in English or Spanish.

Both the English and Spanish-language guides walk pet owners through the process of making a plan, preparing to execute that plan, and staying informed before, during, and after an emergency.

The guide advises pet owners to consider transportation options, necessary equipment to have on hand, and emergency contacts in case of a disaster or evacuation.

Preparing a pet evacuation kit is integral to a quick emergency response. The Save the Whole Family guide includes a checklist to make assembly simple.

The AVMA has also published "Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals" to help owners of these operations be ready to safeguard their horses, poultry, and other farm animals in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Also available in Spanish (Preparación para Granjas Pequeñas), the guide walks farmers through the following topics:

• What to do at the first sign of trouble
• How to make transportation and housing arrangements
• What equipment and information to keep on hand
• What to do after a disaster

For owners who might not be with their animals when disaster strikes, there are also tips for ensuring caretakers have the information they'd need in case of a disaster and to increase the chances of being reunited with lost animals.

In addition to the full guide, several of the resources within it also are available as standalone handouts for veterinary clients:

• Evacuation kit checklist: Horses and livestock (English and Spanish)
• Evacuation kit checklist: Rabbits and poultry (English and Spanish)

Additional information about disaster planning and preparedness for animals can be found on Ready.gov. The AVMA also offers resources on disaster planning for practices and clients.

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