Implementing the Pet Evacuation and Transportation (PETS) Act of 2006 in Radiological Emergencies 1 Gordon Cleveland Veterinary Services (VS) National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management (NCAHEM) Radiological Advisory Team for Environment, Food, and Health Jeleen Briscoe, VMD, DABVP Veterinary Medical Officer/Avian Specialist Animal Care Emergency Programs (ACEP)

2 About the PETS Act Evacuation attempts during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 indicated many people refused to evacuate without their household pets. At the urging of numerous animal welfare organizations, the PETS Act was signed into law October 2006.

3 Snowball, Katrina, and the PETS Act The dog was taken away from this little boy, and to watch his face was a singularly revealing and tragic experience. This legislation was born at that moment. --Rep Tom Lantos (D-CA)

4 Hurricane Katrina and the PETS Act Pre-Katrina recommendations: Leave pets with three days of food and water. Post-Katrina recommendations: Do not leave your pets behind. Pets cannot survive on their own and, if they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. FEMA information for pet owners is located at

5 A Hurricane Katrina survivor reunites with her dog.

6 The PETS Act... Sets standards and provides funds for State and local plans and responses. Requires local and State jurisdictions to submit disaster preparedness (evacuation) plans that take into account household pets and service animals. Pet evacuation and sheltering should be done in conjunction with human evacuation and sheltering.

7 The PETS Act... (cont.) USDA APHIS provides for the safety and well-being of household pets by supporting Department of Homeland Security/FEMA in accordance with the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11 annex of the National Response Framework. Under ESF #11 guidelines, USDA APHIS has been tasked to assist FEMA with implementing the PETS Act. USDA APHIS Animal Care Emergency Programs implements the PETS Act

8 PETS Act and APHIS APHIS is establishing regional teams to respond to PETS Act issues. They will have two primary functions:  Assist States with planning and preparedness.  During a disaster, staff ESF #11 position at the unified Incident Command Post, and/or State desks, to provide technical assistance.

9 Federal Responsibilities for Household Pets Integrated response between FEMA and various agencies will ensure the safety and health of household pets during emergency events. FEMA – transportation ESF #6 – mass evacuation and sheltering ESF #8 – medical care ESF #9 – search and rescue operations ESF #11 – technical expertise, critical needs assessments, and expediting needs requests (APHIS)ESF #11 – technical expertise, critical needs assessments, and expediting needs requests (APHIS) andESF #13 – security (law enforcement and local animal control) ESF #14 – long-term care

10 APHIS Emergency Operations Center

11 APHIS Contacts: Nationwide (Riverdale, MD) Dr. Allan Hogue Dr. Jeleen Briscoe Dr. Anne McCann Western Region (Fort Collins, CO) Dr. Kevin Dennison Eastern Region (Raleigh, NC) Dr. Jeanie Lin

12 PETS Act Issues: What is a Pet?

13 What is a Household Pet? (cont.) FEMA’s policy: Domesticated animal such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, or turtles kept for companionship/pleasure (not commercial purposes) that can travel in commercial carriers and be housed in temporary facilities. Does not include reptiles (except turtles), amphibians, fish, insects/arachnids, farm animals, horses, and animals kept for racing purposes.

14 Estimating the Pet Population Average household size is 2.5 people 60 percent of households have one or more pets 50 percent of households with pets have two pets A survey may determine what proportion of the households with pets will bring their pets with them to reception/ decontamination centers Source: 2002 U. S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Source Book

15 PETS Act Issues in Disasters Owners are expected to care for their pets when sheltered to the extent possible. Businesses, such as pet shops, kennels, and veterinary hospitals, are expected to have their own contingency plan in the event of a disaster or emergency.

16 Federal Resources to Assist with Pet Care USDA APHIS Animal Care USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officers and Animal Health Technicians Eastern Region (919) Western Region (970) National Veterinary Response Teams (formerly VMAT) National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC) during declared emergencies

17 State and Local Resources to Assist with Pet Care Local veterinarians and veterinary technicians County Animal Response/Rescue Teams Volunteer animal care and rescue organizations* State Reserve Veterinary Associations National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs Emergency Management Assistance Compact veterinary resources from member states *Use caution to avoid unqualified volunteers

18 Planning for Pet Evacuation and Sheltering

19 Pets, Emergency Response, and Decontamination NRF Radiological Incident Annex 2008: “USDA provides support for assessment, control, and decontamination of contaminated animals, including companion animals, livestock, poultry, and wildlife.” Radiological Advisory Team for Environment, Food and Health NASAAEP Best Practices Working Group on Animal Decontamination Contingency plans for businesses

20 Pets, Emergency Response, and Decontamination Contaminated pets can be easily decontaminated if the animal is not susceptible to the bioagent. Chemical contaminants can often be diluted sufficiently or removed through chemical neutralization.

21 PETS Act and Radiological Events Unlike biological or chemical contamination, the presence and type of radiological contamination is easily determined. Radiological contaminants can be removed from animals with some difficulty: decontaminating a horse requires a thousand gallons of water (reference to be inserted). Externally decontaminated animals may still be in danger, and a threat to others, if radioisotopes have been ingested.

22 PETS Act and Radiological Events (cont.) There are a number of drugs and procedures designed for human victims that are, or may be, useful in mitigating the effects of various radioisotopes ingested by contaminated animals. It is generally accepted that these mitigants should be administered in the same proportions as to humans based on body weight (Ansari A, CDC Radiation studies)

Potassium IodideRadio-Iodine Blocker Prevents the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland Prussian BlueDecorporation Agent Binds with cesium & thallium which are eliminated in urine/stool BentoniteDecorporation Agent Binds with cesium & thallium which are eliminated in urine/stool Ca/Zn DTPAChelator Removes plutonium, americium, & curium by elimination through stool and urine Bicarbonate of Soda/CaO3 Urinary Alkalization Removes uranium through urination Aluminum/Mg Phosphates Alginates Radio-Strontium Blocker Prevents absorption of strontium through the gastrointestinal tract 23 Recommended Radiation Therapies

24 APHIS and the IAB: Potential Collaboration Radiological Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Issues in Pets and Other Animals: A DRAFT White Paper Identifies eight critical issues regarding pet decontamination

25 APHIS and the IAB Identify and train APHIS personnel with expertise in animal care who will respond operationally and in technical assistance roles IAB: Strategic Planning, Health Medical and Responder Safety, Training and Exercises

26 APHIS and the IAB What tools should be in the ToolBox: operational procedures and decision algorithms for APHIS responders IAB: Strategic Planning

27 APHIS and the IAB Research and validation of operational procedures to ensure efficiency and efficacy Example: vacuum units vs washing of pets IAB: Science and Technology, Standards Coordination

28 APHIS and the IAB Decontamination equipment and agents: access and mobilization National Veterinary Stockpile IAB: Strategic Planning, Health Medical and Responder Safety,

29 APHIS and the IAB Education and preparation of the public Animal Care Legislative and Public Affairs IAB: Information Management and Communications

30 APHIS and the IAB Management of large-scale animal facilities with specific needs: zoos and aquaria, biomedical research facilities, food animal operations IAB: Strategic Planning

31 APHIS and the IAB Research on correct pharmaceuticals and dosages for decontamination of different species IAB: Strategic Planning, Science and Technology, Standards Coordination

32 APHIS and the IAB Planning and prioritization for evacuation, rescue, and containment of pets, livestock, zoo animals, wildlife in effected zones Recovery phase IAB: Strategic Planning, Health Medical and Responder Safety, Training and Exercises

33 Questions and discussion Gordon Cleveland Office (301) Jeleen Briscoe Office (301)