ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION
BERTIE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Reviewed / Updated: April 07, 2016

Primary Agency: Animal Control
  Cooperative Extension
   
Support Agencies: Administration
  Sheriff
  Health Department
  Emergency Management
   
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Preparedness / Response Checklist
Also see:
Annex Shelter and Mass Care
   
   
I. PURPOSE:

To control, protect and to ensure the humane care and treatment of animals (domesticated and wild) during an emergency situation that could cause animal suffering.
 
II.

SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
 
  A. Situation:
 
    1. Any disaster that threatens humans threatens animals as well and it will be necessary to provide water, shelter, food and first aid.
 
    2. Relocation, shelter, or relief efforts for livestock, wildlife or domesticated animals may be required.
 
    3. Shelter locations may be required to provide domesticated animal protection due to sheltered persons bringing their pets with them. Companion animal shelters may be located adjacent to, but not in shelters established for human evacuees.
 
    4. Livestock left in evacuated areas will need to be cared for and provisions will need to be made for reentry.
 
  B. Assumptions:
 
    1. Bertie County may expect outside assistance from the State and private sector in a major disaster within 72 hours.
 
    2. Animal protection planning will ensure the proper care and recovery of companion animals and livestock impacted during an emergency.
 
    3. Personnel with proper training and protective equipment will be available to reenter evacuated areas for the purpose of rescue or care of livestock or domestic animals.
 

III.

 CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
 
  A. The sheltering and protection of companion animals and livestock is the responsibility of their owners. Animal owners should plan for animal care during a disaster as they prepare their family preparedness plan.
 
  B. The Bertie County Animal Control Department will be the lead agency for situation assessment and determination of resource needs. As needed, the County will protect animals affected by any disaster to include rescue, shelter, control, feeding and preventive  immunization of animals left homeless, lost, or strayed as a result of the disaster. Local SPCA, Humane Society, or similar organizations, will be asked to assist in this effort.
 
  C. Requests for animal protection assistance and resources such as food, medicine, shelter, specialized personnel, and additional veterinary medical professionals will be routed through the Bertie County Emergency Operations Center.
 
  D. Wild animals, out of their natural habitats, in danger either to themselves or humans, will be handled by the Bertie County Animal Control Department or North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission personnel.
 
  E. Shelters that have been established for disaster victims will not accept domestic animals. However, if an evacuee comes to the shelter with their pet(s), efforts will be made to assist in locating the domestic animal(s) away from the general populace and given proper care. If pet carriers or other similar containment equipment can be obtained in sufficient quantity and within a reasonable period of time, the Bertie County Animal Control Department may locate such containment equipment in close proximity to a shelter so that pet owners may care for their animals themselves. Companion animals, must however, remain outside of the shelter for human evacuees or disaster victims.
 
  F. Bertie County subscribes to the principals of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) of 2006. This act (now part of the Stafford Act P.L. 109-308, 42 U.S.C. 5196b) effectively  "shall ensure that such plans take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster or emergency.��
 
IV.

DIRECTION AND CONTROL
 
  A. The Bertie County Animal Control Department will direct and control all activities related to companion animal protection and control during a disaster. Bertie County Cooperative Extension will direct and control livestock protection and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will direct and control wildlife protection.
 
  B. As needed, the Animal Control Department will coordinate their efforts with related State and Federal  agencies.
 
V. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
 
  Line of Succession:
 
  1. Director of� Animal Control
 
  2. Cooperative Extension
 
  3. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
 
  4. County Manager
     

Attachment 1
Animal Control Response Checklist
 
     
  Upon request, report to the Emergency Operations Center to serve as technical advisor regarding domestic animal issues.
 
  Issues of livestock will be referred to Cooperative Extension and issues of wildlife will be referred to NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
 
  Implement, as required or necessary, Disaster Animal Response guidance.
 
  Receive a briefing from the Emergency Operations Center. Understand your assignment.
 
  Brief other Animal Control personnel and volunteers that will be assisting you. Briefing should include, but not be limited to:
   
Overall emergency/disaster scope.
Follow incident command.
Safety.
Assignment including locations and possible duration.
Items personnel are expected to have or have issued (i.e. food, water, flashlight, safety vest, boots, appropriate clothing, etc.).
Rules, regulations, special conditions personnel should expect.
Inform personnel (full time and part time) to keep all vehicle mileage and accurate time records.
Answer questions and address concerns before concluding the briefing.
 
  Prepare supplies for expedient shelter for domestic animals.
   
Appropriate safety equipment for personnel (i.e. gloves, safety vests, capture equipment, etc.).
Portable pet carriers/kennels of various sizes suitable to the type and breed.
Feeding and water bowls/supplies of various sizes.
Appropriate fencing.
Collars, leashes and muzzles of various sizes.
Appropriate domestic animal food and water.
Signs indicating pet shelter or pet area.
Sign in / Sign out log indicating at least: (a) Owner (b) Owner address (c) breed of animal (d) date and time in (e) date and time out.
Rules sheet for owners bringing animals to expedient shelter to be given to each owner.
 
  Issue equipment and supplies to personnel.
 
  Log all mileage and time during the emergency/disaster.
 
  Record all supplies used or purchased and be prepared to submit copies of all expenses.
 
  Coordinate setup and operation of expedient shelter for domestic animals with:
   
Emergency Operations Center, informing the EOC that the shelter is operational.
Security (i.e. Sheriff's Department).
If expedient shelter is to be located in proximity to an emergency shelter for humans, coordinate with the Shelter Manager (i.e. Red Cross).
Local Humane Society, SPCA or similar organization.
 
  File daily reports with the EOC.
 
  Remain in contact with the EOC by radio or telephone.
 
  When requested to do so, provide all mileage, supplies used/purchased and time records to the appropriate agency (i.e. HR or Finance).
     

Bertie County Emergency Management - PO Box 530 - Windsor, NC 27983-0530