It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when will emergency situations happen to you! With all of the wild weather around the country, from flooding to wild fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados, somewhere there are horses and other animals that have gone missing and may never return.
Questions you need to ask yourself:
What is my emergency or evacuation plan?
Do I have proof of ownership and current photos of my animals?
What about a First Aid kit ready and adequate feed supplies in the event I need to leave my home location for a period of time?
The time to really think about these things is when you don’t need them.
We also have earthquakes here in our great nation and not just California although you hear about the larger more devastating quakes on the west coast more than in the Midwest, south or east. California is affected almost annually by a quake, although recently nothing has been as the devastating quake in 1994. The Northridge trembler caused millions of dollars in damage, loss of life and property. But what if one occurred and your barn, or your neighbor’s barn, was destroyed? Do you have a plan?
Planning is so very important in so many situations from relocating horses, to traveling long or short distances, from all disasters; emergency planning needs to be considered for even show days, trail rides, camping, hunting, and endurance races. I cannot think of a situation where planning should not be a part of your preparedness.
Here are some basic items to have in your emergency kit:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Radio – battery operated
- Medications & feed for 4-7 days
- Halter & lead rope for every equine
- Contact information for you, veterinarian and other contacts
- Feeding instructions & restrictions
- Fuel in your vehicles and a functional trailer
- Fire Extinguisher
- Water buckets
- Identification for your horses – either an ID band or Evacuation Collar
For more information on disaster planning, you can contact us at info@EquestriSafe.com or by telephone at 877-600-1375 or opt in to our free Newsletter and receive the 29 page eBook “What do I do with my animals in a Fire, Flood and/or Earthquake”.
