CERT Animal Response I & II

CERT Animal Response I

Animal Response I3 Module I Purpose The purpose of this module is to teach CERT members emergency preparedness for animal owners and how to recognize specific animal behaviors.

Animal Response4 Animal-Related Emergency Functions

Animal Response5 Disaster Planning for Your Animals

Animal Response6 Animal owners should prepare by:  Identifying potential hazards  Mitigating the impact of hazards  Creating a disaster plan  Assembling disaster supplies  Participating in training and exercises  Knowing your community’s disaster response plan Preparing for a Disaster

Animal Response7 What types of disasters could occur in your community?  Natural  Technological  Terrorist How could a disaster affect your animals? Identifying Potential Hazards

Animal Response8 Reducing the impact of disasters Making changes that protect properties or facilities Examples:  Encourage animal facilities to relocate out of disaster-prone areas  Encourage owners and animal facilities to have emergency plans, including evacuation plans Mitigating the Impact of Hazards

Animal Response9 Preparing to Evacuate Your Animal Preparing to Stay at Home With Animals During a Disaster Animal Care After a Disaster Preparations for Livestock Special Considerations for Exotic Animals Creating a Disaster Plan for Animals

Animal Response10 Establish an out-of-area contact Identify where you will stay if evacuated Plan your evacuation routes Update vaccinations and ID tags Get a crate or carrier for each pet; train dogs to use it Preparing to Evacuate Your Pet/Service Animal

Animal Response11 Preparing to Evacuate Your Pet/Service Animal Gather evacuation supplies; include vaccination certs & pictures of you with your animals Make a plan for evacuating without your pet (last resort!) – if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your animals

Animal Response12 Bring pets inside Have newspaper on hand Be aware that animals may isolate themselves if afraid Separate dogs and cats Separate smaller pets away from cats and dogs Preparing to Stay at Home with Animals

Animal Response13 Animal behavior may change after a disaster Leash pets for the first few days Displaced wildlife may pose a threat to pets Downed power lines are another hazard Caring for Animals After a Disaster

Animal Response14 Download a supply list from Have enough basic supplies for every individual and pet to survive for at least 7 days Evacuation checklist Shelter-in-place checklist Post information for emergency personnel on your property Assembling a Disaster Supply Kit

Animal Response15 What do these animals have in common? Grouping Animals

Animal Response16 Characteristics of Predator Animals Vision FeetTeethInstincts

Animal Response17 What do these animals have in common? Grouping Animals

Animal Response18 Characteristics of Prey Animals VisionFeetTeethInstincts

Animal Response19 Domesticated animals may revert to instinctive behavior Predator animals may chase and attack Prey animals may run or hide Animal Domestication

Animal Response20 Increasing Aggression Dog Facial Expressions Increasing Fear

Animal Response21 Dog Body Language

Animal Response22 Dog Body Language (cont’d)

Animal Response23 Dog Body Language (cont’d)

Animal Response24 Dog Body Language (cont’d)

Animal Response25 Dog Body Language (cont’d)

Animal Response26 Dog Body Language (cont’d)

Animal Response27 Cat Body Language Confident

Animal Response28 Cat Body Language (cont’d) Relaxed

Animal Response29 Cat Body Language (cont’d) Anxious

Animal Response30 Cat Body Language (cont’d) Distance Increasing

Animal Response31 Cat Body Language (cont’d) Defensive Aggression

Animal Response32 Cat Facial Expressions

Animal Response33 Cat Tail Expressions

Animal Response34 Identifying Animal Behavior

Animal Response35 Identifying Animal Behavior (cont’d)

Animal Response36 Identifying Animal Behavior (cont’d)

Animal Response37 Identifying Animal Behavior (cont’d)

Animal Response38 In this module, we reviewed:  Animal-Related Emergency Management Functions  Preparedness for Your Animals  General Animal Behavior Module I Summary

CERT Animal Response II

40 Module II Purpose The purpose of this module is to ensure that CERT members can respond safely and appropriately in emergency events involving animals.

This topic will cover:  Encountering Animals  Zoonotic Disease Transmission  Injuries Caused by Animals  Psychological Self-Care CERT Animal Response II41 CERT Responder Safety with Animals

Responders’ Safety Priorities Always remember the responder’s safety priorities: 1.Yourself 2.Your teammates and bystanders 3.The subject CERT Tools for Leadership Success 42

CERT Animal Response II43 Size up the situation 1.Look for presence of owner 2.Look for evidence of animals 3.Consider local environment 4.Be prepared for illegal animal activity 5.Perform damage assessment Encountering Animals

CERT Animal Response II44 1. Look for Presence of the Owner

CERT Animal Response II45 2. Look for Evidence of Animals

CERT Animal Response II46 3. Consider the Local Environment

CERT Animal Response II47 4. Be Prepared for Illegal Animal Activity

CERT Animal Response II48 5. Perform Damage Assessment

CERT Animal Response II49 Expect the unexpected Do not let dog block your escape Do not show fear Maintain relaxed posture; keep energy level low Control environment if possible Avoid direct eye contact Do not get near dog’s face Approaching an Unknown Dog

CERT Animal Response II50 Try gaining dog’s confidence Try to contain dog Consider size of your team Know your limitations Approaching an Unknown Dog (cont’d)

CERT Animal Response II51 Say “Sit” firmly but not loudly Hold your hand in a “Stop” gesture The “Sit” Command

CERT Animal Response II52 In the event of any dog attack, call 911 immediately Use basic commands Put object or distance between yourself and dog Back away; do not run away If you fall, curl up and cover your head Do not scream or yell If dog latches on, protect your face If a Dog Attacks

CERT Animal Response II53 Injuries Caused by Animals

Working with animals can be emotional Responders may be affected by emotions of animal owners Do not push yourself beyond your physical & psychological limits Animals can also reduce stress See CERT Basic Training Unit 7 Disaster Psychology CERT Animal Response II54 Psychological Self-Care

This topic will cover:  Cleaning and Disinfection  General Animal Care  Animal Handling  Caring for Injured Animals  Communicating with Animal Owners  Animal Identification and Documentation CERT Animal Response II55 Knowledge and Skills Needed for CERT Functions Involving Animals

Debris and organic material MUST be removed as soon as possible Clean with soap and water Apply a suitable disinfectant CERT Animal Response II56 Cleaning and Disinfection

Follow nutritional and environmental requirements Not feeding animal is better than feeding wrong food; do not overfeed All animals need constant access to clean and potable water Store feed where animals can’t access CERT Animal Response II57 General Animal Care

For non-aggressive dogs: Avoid prolonged direct eye contact Use a soft voice; keep your energy level low Approach dog with your body turned sideways Move toward the dog slowly Use a slip leash to control the dog Do not loom over dog Do not grab dog by collar CERT Animal Response II58 Animal Handling: Dogs

For frightened dogs:  Seek assistance unless you are experienced  Don’t approach unless others can assist you; always use “buddy system”  Move slowly and try to get dog to come to you  When secure, towel over dog’s head can be calming Aggressive dogs: Call animal control or law enforcement CERT Animal Response II59 Animal Handling: Dogs (cont’d)

Use only if dog is not aggressive If given time, some dogs may calm down Keep dog calm as you slip on leash Slip leashes are best Improvise with rope, belt or twine CERT Animal Response II60 Dog Restraints: Leashes

CERT Animal Response II61 Dog Restraints: Muzzles

Dog Restraints: Standing 1.Place arm under dog’s neck and other arm behind rear legs 2.Pull dog’s head snugly against your shoulder CERT Animal Response II62

Dog Restraints: Lateral CERT Animal Response II63

CERT Animal Response II64 Carrying Dogs

Make sure dog crates are adequate size Allow only one dog per crate Clean and disinfect crates between animals If not in cage, leash or tether dog inside vehicle Control climate within vehicle Keeping dogs in stationary vehicles in hot weather can result in death CERT Animal Response II65 Transporting Dogs

Approaching Cats Speak slowly and softly Approach with your side facing cat Move slowly Work with a partner CERT Animal Response II66 Animal Handling: Cats

Out-of-Control Cats Back off and allow cat to calm down Use double thick or armored gloves and eye protection Attempt capture with fishing nets, blankets, or traps If possible, let professional animal handlers do the job CERT Animal Response II67 Animal Handling: Cats (cont’d)

Have owner present if possible Always wear heavy gloves Use towels to lift and carry Tap on cat food can to get cat to come to you Use as little restraint as needed Cats may be frightened by unexpected stimuli Cats become defensive easily Place cats in carriers for transporting CERT Animal Response II68 Transporting Cats

CERT Animal Response II69 Transporting Cats

Caring for Injured Animals Act within framework of CERT training Perform sizeup Be careful: Stressed animal may bite, scratch, kick, or attack Restrain appropriately If unable to restrain, do not attempt first aid If possible, transport animal for professional help CERT Animal Response II70

CERT Animal Response II71 Understand psychological strain on pet owners Refer to CERT Basic Training Unit 7 Disaster Psychology Don’t underestimate human-animal bond Provide emotional support for animal owners Communicating with Animal Owners

CERT Animal Response II72 Animals can be identified with:  Tags  Microchips  Tattoos  Ear tags  Collars  Bands on birds  Branding on livestock Some communities may have system for identifying dangerous animals Animal Identification

CERT Animal Response II73 In this module, we reviewed: Your role as a CERT member in functions involving animals Protecting your safety when dealing with animals Knowledge and skills you will need for CERT functions involving animals Module II Summary