Emergency Evacuation for Pets in Times of Disaster. Prof. Dr. Hidenobu Toriyoshi, Ph.D, DVM, D.M.Sc
Concrete Measures for Pet Accompanied Evacuation in Times of Disaster. Emergency Evacuation for Pets. Points to Consider when Evacuating with Pets.
When evacuating with pets, there are various methods such as evacuating to shelters, staying at home, or sheltering in vehicles. However, it's important to note that the designated pet area in evacuation centers differs from the residential space of the pet owners. Pets are required to be kept on a leash, and their accommodation should be within the cages or carriers brought by the owners. As for considerations in evacuation centers, while these may vary by local government, understanding the pet's personality and any existing health conditions and creating a stress-free environment are crucial.
Checking for pet-friendly hotels and veterinary clinics that are acceptable during disasters is also important. On the other hand, when keeping pets in shared living spaces like evacuation centers, consideration for others is necessary, as some individuals may have allergies or discomfort around animals. According to survey results from municipalities following the East Japan Earthquake, the most common issues in evacuation centers regarding pets were complaints about the barking and odor of dogs. Other problems included instances where dogs were allowed to roam freely, causing disturbances around sleeping evacuees, concerns about pets posing risks to children, and occurrences of fleas due to inadequate pet care by owners.
Therefore, in managing pets in evacuation centers, it is crucial for pet owners to understand their pets' personalities and health conditions, creating a stress-free environment. Additionally, handling pet waste is the responsibility of the owner, and using clothing on dogs for hair shedding prevention can be effective. Since it is anticipated that pets may panic during disasters and there might be situations where owners have to leave pets at home, microchip implantation, which is already mandatory, is also essential. Preparing necessary equipment for pet evacuation, along with regular training and health management, is important.
#pets #dogs #vets