RESOURCE DIRECTORY: RISK ANALYSIS
DART teams will want to work closely with their local emergency management director to determine the most common risks for natural and man-made disasters in their community and to plan accordingly for the animals. In a community that serves as a host, the impact of an incoming population of people with their pets should also be considered.
Assessing the animal population is an important part of risk analysis in disaster planning for animals. Using a simple formula developed from national studies on animal populations, the number of animals that might potentially be affected by a local event can be determined.
Companion Animals
In the 2007 presentation “Tips for Including Animals in Emergency Response Plans,” NH State Veterinarian Steve Crawford, DVM, discussed the following formulas from the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002):
· Pets = (.589) x (total households)
Formula estimates the number of pet-owning households.
· Dogs = (.534) x (total households)
Rural areas are usually higher, urban areas lower.
· Cats = (.598) x (total households)
Feral cats may increase in rural areas.
· Birds = (.126) x (total households)
· Horses = (0.40) x (total households)
Formula probably underestimates the number of horses in New Hampshire.
· Rabbits & ferrets = (0.23) x (total households)
· Rodents = (0.23) x (total households).
· Reptiles = (0.23) x (total households)
· Fish = (.063) x (total households)
Applying these formulas to the 2005 U.S. Census Report, Dr. Crawford estimates that New Hampshire is home to approximately 263,253 dogs and 285,910 cats.
HSUS Disaster Planning Manual for Animals
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/
hsus_disaster_planning_manual_for_animals.html
Agricultural Animals
Your community may be home to a variety of agricultural operations involving livestock as defined in RSA 427:38. Sources of information on these operations include the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food; the UNH Cooperative Extension Service; large-animal veterinarians; farriers; and feed stores. The State Veterinarian estimates that at least 25,000 horses (probably more) live in New Hampshire, along with 39,912 cattle, 7,423 sheep, 3,774 goats, 2,718 pigs, and 1.67 million poultry.
Exotic Pets
The animal population of any community is made up of many types of animals, not just dogs and cats. Nontraditional, or exotic, pets include reptiles, ferrets, birds, and pocket pets like gerbils, hamsters, and
guinea pigs. Other species may fall into several categories; llamas, alpacas, ostriches and emus, for example, could be considered both exotics and livestock. The State Veterinarian estimates that New Hampshire's residents own some 58,420 pet birds.
Exotic Wildlife
Of special consideration is the handling of exotic, more dangerous animals that could get loose in an emergency. These animals may belong to an animal facility, research facility, game farm, or private collection (either legally or illegally). New Hampshire has an estimated 1,500 deer, elk, and bison in this category.
Native Wildlife
A serious challenge is what to do with displaced or injured wildlife. After a natural disaster, the number of calls about wild animals can skyrocket at a time when the community is having difficulty just caring for domestic animals. State fish and game departments generally recommend that all apparently uninjured wildlife be left alone. If you encounter injured wildlife, contact a licensed, qualified wildlife rehabilitator to determine the preferred course of action. Be reminded that native wildlife typically respond aggressively to restraint, even when injured, and are more likely to carry disease than companion animals. And be careful not to confuse diseased animals with injured animals. Failure to make that distinction could result in disease exposure.
NH Fish and Game Department: Wildlife Rehabilitators in New Hampshire
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/wildlife_rehabbers.htm
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