Emergency Preparedness for Farm Animals

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This brochure was developed by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the provinces and territories.

An electronic version of this brochure is available at GetPrepared.ca.

Please note: Publications are not available in regular print format.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2010

Cat. No.: PS4-71/2011 ISBN:  978-1-100-52510-5

Introduction

Do you know how to protect your farm animals from risks posed by natural disasters, including collapsed barns, freezing weather, flooding, dehydration, and electrocution?

From barn fires to hazardous materials spills to natural disasters, emergency situations often call for special measures to shelter, care for, or transport farm pets, livestock, and poultry.

Safeguard your animals, your property and your business by taking precautions now, no matter what the risks are in your area. Additional information and assistance can be provided by your veterinarian.

This brochure is intended to address interruptions in normal services due to the consequences of natural hazards emergencies. It does not address animal disease emergencies. For information on prevention, preparation or response to animal disease emergencies contact your veterinarian, your provincial agriculture representative or the local office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Step 1: Know the risks and get prepared

Although the consequences of emergencies can be similar, knowing the risks specific to your community and your region can help you better prepare. It is even more important to be aware of the risks in your area if you live on a farm with livestock and poultry.

Plan to shelter in place

If you remain on your property during an emergency, you will need to decide whether to confine large animals in an available shelter or leave them outdoors.

Survey your property for the best location for animal sheltering. Ensure that your animals have access to high areas in case of flooding, as well as to food and clean water.

If your pasture area meets the following criteria, your livestock may be better off out in the pasture than being evacuated. A safe pasture has:

Ensure that you have enough food and essentials supplies for you and your family for at least 72 hours (three days).

If your property does not meet these criteria, consider evacuating your animals, but only on the advice of your veterinarian or local emergency management officials.

Plan to evacuate

Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, make sure that you have adequate and safe fencing or pens to separate and group animals appropriately.

When leaving the farm

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Step 2 : Make an emergency plan

Step 3: Prepare a farm emergency kit

Make an emergency kit so you have emergency supplies in one location, and let everyone know where it is. Check and update contents regularly. Include the following items and personalize according to your needs:

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit GetPrepared.ca, call 1 800 0-Canada or follow us on Twitter @Get_Prepared.

For more information on emergency response where animals are implicated in natural or human-induced disasters, visit the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association website at: www.canadianveterinarians.net

This brochure was developed by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the provinces and territories.

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