ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION
 

FICTITIOUS COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN 

Updated: March 18, 2006

 
 

I.

PURPOSE

To control, protect and to ensure the humane care and treatment of animals (domesticated and wild) during an emergency situation that could cause animal suffering.
 
II.

SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
 
  A. Situation
    1. Any disaster that threatens humans threatens animals as well and it will be necessary to provide water, shelter, food and first aid.
    2. Relocation, shelter, or relief efforts for livestock, wildlife, or domesticated animals may be required.
    3. Shelter locations may be required to provide domesticated animal control due to sheltered persons bringing their pets with them.
    4. Livestock left in evacuated areas will need to be cared for and provisions will need to be made for reentry.
 
  B. Assumptions
    1. Fictitious County may expect outside assistance from the State and private sector in a major disaster.
    2. Animal protection planning will ensure the proper care and recovery of animals impacted during an emergency.
    3. Personnel with proper training and protective equipment will be available to reenter evacuated areas for the purpose of rescue or care of livestock or domestic animals.
 

III.

 CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
 
  A. The sheltering and protection of companion animals and livestock is the responsibility of their owners. Animal owners should plan for animal care during a disaster as they prepare their family preparedness plan.
 
  B. The Fictitious County Animal Control Department will be the lead agency for situation assessment and determination of resource needs.  As needed, the County will protect animals affected by any disaster to include rescue, shelter, control, feeding, and preventive immunization of animals left homeless, lost, or strayed as a result of the disaster.  Local SPCA, Humane Society, or similar organizations, will be asked to assist in this effort.
 
  C. Requests for animal protection assistance and resources such as food, medicine, shelter, specialized personnel, and additional veterinary medical professionals will be routed through the Fictitious County Emergency Operations Center.
 
  D. Wild animals, out of their natural habitats, in danger either to themselves or humans, will be handled by the Fictitious County Animal Control Department or North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission personnel.
 
  E. Shelters that have been established for disaster victims will not accept domestic animals. However, if an evacuee comes to the shelter with their pet(s), efforts will be made to assist in locating the domestic animal(s) away from the general populace and given proper care. If pet carriers or other similar containment equipment can be obtained in sufficient quantity and within a reasonable period of time, the Fictitious County Animal Control Department may locate such containment equipment in close proximity to a shelter so that pet owners may care for their animals themselves. Companion animals and wildlife, must however, remain outside of the shelter for human evacuees or disaster victims.
 
IV.

DIRECTION AND CONTROL
 
  A. The Fictitious County Animal Control Department will direct and control all activities related to animal protection and control during a disaster.
 
  B. As needed, the Animal Control Department will coordinate their efforts with related State agencies.
 
V. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
 
  Line of Succession:
  1. Director of  Animal Control
  2. Animal Control Supervisor
  3. Director of Emergency Management