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Module I Purpose
The purpose of this module is to teach CERT members emergency preparedness for animal owners and how to recognize specific animal behaviors.
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• Animal owners should prepare by: Identifying potential hazards Mitigating the impact of hazards Creating a disaster plan Assembling disaster supplies Participating in training and exercises Knowing your community’s disaster response
plan
Preparing for a Disaster
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• What types of disasters could occur in your community? Natural Technological Terrorist
• How could a disaster affect your animals?
Identifying Potential Hazards
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• Reducing the impact of disasters• Making changes that protect properties or
facilities• Examples:
Encourage animal facilities to relocate out of disaster-prone areas
Encourage owners and animal facilities to have emergency plans, including evacuation plans
Mitigating the Impact of Hazards
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• Preparing to Evacuate Your Animal• Preparing to Stay at Home With Animals
During a Disaster• Animal Care After a Disaster• Preparations for Livestock• Special Considerations for Exotic Animals
Creating a Disaster Plan for Animals
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• Establish an out-of-area contact
• Identify where you will stay if evacuated
• Plan your evacuation routes
• Update vaccinations and ID tags
• Get a crate or carrier for each pet; train dogs to use it
Preparing to Evacuate Your Pet/Service Animal
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Preparing to Evacuate Your Pet/Service Animal
•Gather evacuation supplies; include vaccination certs & pictures of you with your animals
•Make a plan for evacuating without your pet (last resort!) – if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your animals
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• Bring pets inside• Have newspaper on hand• Be aware that animals
may isolate themselves if afraid
• Separate dogs and cats• Separate smaller pets
away from cats and dogs
Preparing to Stay at Home with Animals
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• Animal behavior may change after a disaster
• Leash pets for the first few days
• Displaced wildlife may pose a threat to pets
• Downed power lines are another hazard
Caring for Animals After a Disaster
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• Download a supply list from www.ready.gov
• Have enough basic supplies for every individual and pet to survive for at least 7 days
• Evacuation checklist • Shelter-in-place checklist• Post information for
emergency personnel on your property
Assembling a Disaster Supply Kit
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• Domesticated animals may revert to instinctive behavior
• Predator animals may chase and attack• Prey animals may run or hide
Animal Domestication
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• In this module, we reviewed: Animal-Related Emergency Management
Functions Preparedness for Your Animals General Animal Behavior
Module I Summary
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Module II Purpose
The purpose of this module is to ensure that CERT members can respond safely and appropriately in emergency events involving animals.
• This topic will cover: Encountering Animals Zoonotic Disease Transmission Injuries Caused by Animals Psychological Self-Care
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CERT Responder Safety with Animals
Responders’ Safety Priorities
Always remember the responder’s safety priorities:
1. Yourself2. Your teammates and bystanders3. The subject
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Size up the situation1. Look for presence of owner2. Look for evidence of animals3. Consider local environment4. Be prepared for illegal animal activity5. Perform damage assessment
Encountering Animals
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• Expect the unexpected• Do not let dog block your escape• Do not show fear• Maintain relaxed posture; keep energy level low• Control environment if possible• Avoid direct eye contact• Do not get near dog’s face
Approaching an Unknown Dog
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•Try gaining dog’s confidence•Try to contain dog•Consider size of your team•Know your limitations
Approaching an Unknown Dog (cont’d)
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• Say “Sit” firmly but not loudly
• Hold your hand in a “Stop” gesture
The “Sit” Command
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• In the event of any dog attack, call 911 immediately
• Use basic commands• Put object or distance between yourself and dog• Back away; do not run away• If you fall, curl up and cover your head• Do not scream or yell• If dog latches on, protect your face
If a Dog Attacks
• Working with animals can be emotional
• Responders may be affected by emotions of animal owners
• Do not push yourself beyond your physical & psychological limits
• Animals can also reduce stress
• See CERT Basic Training Unit 7 Disaster Psychology
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Psychological Self-Care
• This topic will cover: Cleaning and Disinfection General Animal Care Animal Handling Caring for Injured Animals Communicating with Animal Owners Animal Identification and Documentation
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Knowledge and Skills Needed for CERT Functions Involving Animals
• Debris and organic material MUST be removed as soon as possible
• Clean with soap and water• Apply a suitable disinfectant
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Cleaning and Disinfection
• Follow nutritional and environmental requirements
• Not feeding animal is better than feeding wrong food; do not overfeed
• All animals need constant access to clean and potable water
• Store feed where animals can’t access
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General Animal Care
For non-aggressive dogs: • Avoid prolonged direct eye contact• Use a soft voice; keep your energy level low• Approach dog with your body turned sideways • Move toward the dog slowly• Use a slip leash to control the dog• Do not loom over dog• Do not grab dog by collar
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Animal Handling: Dogs
• For frightened dogs: Seek assistance unless you are
experienced Don’t approach unless others can assist
you; always use “buddy system” Move slowly and try to get dog to come to
you When secure, towel over dog’s head can be
calming• Aggressive dogs: Call animal control or law
enforcement
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Animal Handling: Dogs (cont’d)
• Use only if dog is not aggressive
• If given time, some dogs may calm down
• Keep dog calm as you slip on leash
• Slip leashes are best• Improvise with rope,
belt or twine
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Dog Restraints: Leashes
Dog Restraints: Standing
1. Place arm under dog’s neck and other arm behind rear legs
2. Pull dog’s head snugly against your shoulder
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• Make sure dog crates are adequate size• Allow only one dog per crate• Clean and disinfect crates between animals• If not in cage, leash or tether dog inside
vehicle• Control climate within vehicle• Keeping dogs in stationary vehicles in hot
weather can result in death
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Transporting Dogs
Approaching Cats• Speak slowly
and softly• Approach with
your side facing cat
• Move slowly• Work with a
partner
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Animal Handling: Cats
Out-of-Control Cats• Back off and allow cat to calm down • Use double thick or armored gloves and
eye protection• Attempt capture with fishing nets,
blankets, or traps• If possible, let professional animal
handlers do the job
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Animal Handling: Cats (cont’d)
• Have owner present if possible• Always wear heavy gloves• Use towels to lift and carry• Tap on cat food can to get cat to come to you• Use as little restraint as needed• Cats may be frightened by unexpected stimuli• Cats become defensive easily• Place cats in carriers for transporting
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Transporting Cats
Caring for Injured Animals
• Act within framework of CERT training• Perform sizeup• Be careful: Stressed animal may bite, scratch,
kick, or attack• Restrain appropriately• If unable to restrain, do not attempt first aid• If possible, transport animal for professional
help
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• Understand psychological strain on pet owners
• Refer to CERT Basic Training Unit 7 Disaster Psychology
• Don’t underestimate human-animal bond
• Provide emotional support for animal owners
Communicating with Animal Owners
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• Animals can be identified with: Tags Microchips Tattoos Ear tags Collars Bands on birds Branding on livestock
• Some communities may have system for identifying dangerous animals
Animal Identification