
Animal Emergency Planning
Plan for livestock and pet sheltering and safety during disasters
Parish pet plans
Louisiana Revised Statute 29-729 requires every parish in the state to have a local director for the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. This director must submit a Parish Pet Plan to The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry by March 1st every year. A Parish pet plan outlines the local parish's plans for providing
humane evacuation,
safe transport,
and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in times of emergency or disaster.
Priorities for providing services
Pet owners who have the means to transport their own pets to safety usually won't need evacuation or transport services, though they may require temporary shelter for their animals when circumstances compel them to leave their home. Therefore, parishes will prioritize evacuation and transport for pet owners who lack the means or ability to transport their own pets to safety during an emergency. People in this situation are said to have "Critical Transport Needs" (CTN).
Evacuation Plan Information Form for animal facility (shelters, veterinary clinics, etc.)
LDAF Pet Evacuation & Sheltering – Standard Operating Procedure No. 004
Emergency planning resources
When people must leave their home during emergencies, they want to keep their pets and service animals nearby. That's why the so-called "Mega shelters" that Louisiana has established to shelter its residents during emergencies, also include shelters for pets. This enables owners to care for their own pets, which not only gives them peace of mind but also reduces the number of shelter workers needed to look after the displaced animals.
Different shelters for different needs
The type of public shelter where pets will live during emergency evacuation depends upon their owners' health, mobility and personal transportation options as well as the size and number of pets that need emergency shelter.
During emergencies, people who are able to transport both themselves and their pets to mega shelter locations, and look after the animals while in the shelter will have that option.
All CTN (Critical Transportation Need) evacuees who need help getting themselves and pets to safety will first get a ride to their local Parish Pickup Point (PPP). In most cases, they can bring one small (under 35 pounds) cat or dog on their lap along with them in the evacuation vehicle. Workers at the pickup point, can arrange for additional pets to be rescued and brought to the shelter near where their owners will be staying.
Pet owners whose health problems would interfere with their ability to take care of pets at a mega shelter can get shelter for their pets and appropriate medical accommodations for themselves at specialty locations where workers care for people's pets onsite.
Locate pet friendly hotels along your evacuation route and keep a list in your pet’s emergency kit: petswelcome.com , www.travelpets.com , www.dogfriendly.com , or www.pettravel.com .
Emergency planning for livestock
Louisiana livestock arenas
Acadia Parish Rice Arena - 159 Cherokee Dr, Crowley, (337) 783-1442 or (337) 384-4500, ricearena@appj.org
Assumption Parish Ag Complex - 119 Robin St., Napoleonville
Bogalusa Community Arena - 20239 Airport Rd., Bogalusa
Clinton Covered Arena - 14730 Hwy. 10, Clinton, (225) 572-9229
D'Arbonne Range Riders Arena - 202 Rodeo Rd, Farmerville
Ike Hamilton Expo - 501 Mane St., West Monroe, (318) 325-9160
Lamar Dixon - 9039 St. Landry Ave., Gonzales, (318) 450-1009
Morehouse Activity Center - 9525 Marlatt St., Bastrop, (318) 281-3164
SugArena at Acadiana Fairgrounds - 713 NW Bypass (Hwy. 3212), New Iberia, (337) 365-7539
Sweetwater Campground & Riding Stables - 57056 N. Cooper Rd., Loranger, (985) 878 - 6868
Terrebonne Livestock Agricultural Fair Association - 221 Moffet Rd., Houma, (985) 665-1005
Texas Longhorn Rodeo Arena - 3274 Hwy., 109 S., Vinton, (318) 589-5647
Related links