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Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

Water Rescue

When an emergency or natural disaster occurs, it is always in the best interest of the horses for both the equine practitioner and the horse owner to be prepared. Foreign animal disease outbreaks or other catastrophic events can adversely affect the health and well-being of horses. The preparation must be as thorough as possible knowing that circumstances will highlight the weaknesses rather than the strengths of those involved.



Current Emergency

To help you prepare for the current emergency occurring in your area, below you will find resources that may assist you for your immediate area or the area where the emergency is or may occur.
Hurricane Irene

HURRICANE IRENE

AAEP Hurricane Equine Evacuation Info
AAEP Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Guidelines

Connecticut:

Connecticut Animal Health Office

Connecticut State Animal Response Team (SART)

Connecticut Horse Council

Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association

Connecticut Department of Emergency Management

Delaware:

Delaware Animal Health Office

Delaware Equine Council

Delaware Veterinary Medical Association

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

Florida:

Florida State Animal Health Office

Florida State Animal Response Team (SART)

Florida Horse Council

Sunshine State Horse Council (Equine Emergency Evacuation Information & Relocation Database)

Florida Veterinary Medical Association

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Georgia:

Georgia State Animal Health Office

Georgia Horse Council

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association

Georgia Emergency Management Agency

Maryland:

Maryland Animal Health Office

Maryland State Animal Response Team (SART)

Maryland Horse Council

Maryland Veterinary Medical Association

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts State Animal Health Office

State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART)

Massachusetts Horseman’s Council

Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

New Jersey:

New Jersey State Animal Health Office

New Jersey State Animal Response Team (SART)

New Jersey Action Disaster Guidelines for Horses & Livestock

New Jersey Horse Council

New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

New York:

New York State Animal Health Office

Empire State Animal Response Team (SART)

Aware Prepare

New York State Horse Council

New York State Veterinary Medical Society

New York Emergency Management Office

North Carolina:

North Carolina Equine Disaster Response Alliance

North Carolina State Animal Health Office

North Carolina State Animal Response Team (SART)

North Carolina Horse Council

North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association

North Carolina Emergency Management

Rhode Island:

Rhode Island State Animal Health Office

Rhode Island Disaster Animal Response Team

Rhode Island Horseman’s Association

Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

South Carolina:

South Carolina Horse Disaster Plan

Clemson University Cooperative Extension (Hurricane Preparedness Info)

South Carolina State Animal Health Office

South Carolina Equine Emergency Evacuation Routes

South Carolina Horseman’s Council

South Carolina Veterinary Medical Association

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

Virginia:

Virginia State Animal Response Team (SART)

Virginia State Animal Health Office

Virginia Horse Council

Virginia Veterinary Medical Association

Virginia Department of Emergency Management


Resources for Equine Practitioners

In today's world, the equine practitioner must prepare him or herself, family, the practice, and the clients for what to do
TALER Exercisein a disaster situation. The equine practitioner is uniquely qualified to understand and treat the injuries and stresses of horses in a disaster as well as understand the logistical factors associated with a rapid or planned evacuation of horses. Once the catastrophe strikes, the veterinarian will be seen as an important professional resource.

Important steps to consider in establishing a disaster and emergency response plan include:

• Educating clients
• Establishing a local response system
• Transportation issues
•Interaction with local and state government officials, including state veterinary organizations
• Preparing for actual hands-on emergency rescue situations

Additional links for equine practitioners:

National Resources

FEMA (Large Animal Preparedness)

FEMA

National Weather Service (National Hurricane Service)

U.S. and Canadian Animal Health Offices (State/Provincial Veterinary Offices)

Ready America

AVMA (Disaster Preparedness Info for Veterinarians)

United States Animal Health Association

USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services:

USDA Emergency Management Response System

National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management

National Animal Health Surveillance System

Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Center (Biodefense Reference Library)

National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps

Bioterrorism:

Veterinary Response to Terror Alerts

Biosecurity Information Resources


Resources for Horse Owners

Preparation is a key part of making sure your horses are safe and taken care of in a crisis situation. One must
Horse in Waterunderstand who the other resources are and what their plan is in order for a coordinated response to result. The AAEP has collected the following helpful links to make sure you, the horse owner, have vital information available to you before a disaster strikes.

National Resources

FEMA (Large Animal Preparedness)

FEMA

National Weather Service (National Hurricane Service)

U.S. and Canadian Animal Health Offices (State/Provincial Veterinary Offices)

Ready America

Disaster Planning:

Emergency Planning Workbook

Disaster Action Guidelines for Horse Owners

Emergency Preparedness: Important Tips for Horse Owners (AAEP)

Disaster Planning for Horse Farms (AAEP)

Guidelines to Follow During Equine Emergencies (AAEP)