Tips for Service Animals and Pet Owners

This information was prepared developed and distributed by
Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco
70 10th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
415-863-0581, TTY 415-863-1367
FAX 415-863-1290
In cooperation with June Kailes, Disability Consultant
through a grant from The American Red Cross Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network

This fact sheet is designed to provide a checklist for activities for People with Disabilities to improve your emergency preparedness in an earthquake. It is designed to be used in conjunction with regular American Red Cross preparedness information and Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco's Tips FOR PEOPLE WITH A SPECIFIC DISABILITY (i.e., Mobility, Visual, Communication, Cognitive, Psychiatric, Hearing, etc.), TIPS FOR COLLECTING EMERGENCY DOCUMENTS, and TIPS FOR CREATING AN EMERGENCY HEALTH INFORMATION CARD. Without all four tip sheets, you do not have all the information you need to be prepared. Preparation may seem like a lot of work. It is. Preparing does take time and effort. So do a little at a time, as your energy and budget permit. The important thing is to start preparing. The more you do, the more confident you will be that you can protect yourself, your family, and your belongings.

DATE COMPLETED / ACTIVITIES

__________I.D. Tags and License are current.

__________Animal Care Plan.

__________Be prepared to Function Without Assistance from service animal - Identify Alternate Mobility Cues.

__________Assemble Service Animal's Emergency Kit.

I.D.'s and Licenses

Make sure your service animals and pets have I.D. tags with both your home telephone number and that of a your primary out of town contact person. Make sure your animal's license is current.

Animal Care

Plan how your pets will be cared for if you have to evacuate. Pets, in contrast to service animals, may not be allowed in emergency shelters due to health regulations, so have some animal shelters identified! Contact your local Red Cross chapter or state office of emergency management for guidance.

Establish relationships with other animal owners in your neighborhood. In case you are not home, there will be someone to help your animal.

Alternate Mobility Cues

Pets and service animals may become confused, panicked, frightened or disoriented in and after a disaster: keep them confined or securely leashed or harnessed. A leash/harness is an important item for managing a nervous or upset animal. Be prepared to use alternative ways to negotiate your environment.

Service Animals Earthquake Kit (for 7 days)

Container suggestions: pack supplies in a pack that your animal can carry in case you need to evacuate.