How to protect animals in an emergency

Tips from the Halter Project|

It is all too certain that we are living in environmentally uncertain times, but there is one way to compensate for Earth’s caprice: preparedness. And animal preparedness included.

Last year’s October brought fires and the harsh reality that the seemingly “impossible” is conceivably not so. With climate change, anything and everything is very much possible. This year’s June and July have affirmed just that, bearing witness to more ‘unthinkable” fires in Yolo, Napa and Lake counties, with thousands of acres set aflame. While people may be considered priority, we need not disregard animals’ comparable right to safe haven amid fire, earthquake, flood or storm.

Large-animal welfare nonprofit the Halter Project has compiled an emergency readiness to-do list in order to keep animals safe this summer and answer both owners’ and good samaritans’ questions of “what if...” A recurring sentiment is to plan ahead and research prior to catastrophe.

First, remember to prepare yourself by entering ICE, or “In Case of Emergency,” contacts of both local and out-of-town residents into your phones and establishing a personal line of response within your own family or farm. As Halter officials remind, it is best to “think like a flight attendant…,” because you can’t help anyone else until you help yourself.

Know your local emergency help lines, such as animal control agencies, emergency departments, humane societies, farm bureaus, etc. Familiarize yourself with whom to notify in your area. In the case of injured animals, call Sonoma County Animal Services at 565-7100; in the case of missing animals, call Sonoma Humane Society at 542-0882, Marin Humane at 415-883-4621, Napa Humane at 255-8118 or Pets Lifeline at 996-4577. For loose livestock and farm animals, notify 911. For injured wildlife, contact Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, WildCare, Oiled Wildlife, Care Network, the Marine Mammal Center, or contact the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue Hotline at 526-9453.

Survey the locations of hazardous structures on your property, such as barbed wire and electric fences. In the case of saving animals in a flash flood, call 911, but do not attempt a rescue yourself unless you can confirm what materials are in the water.

Subscribe to weather and emergency alert apps on your phones, and buy yourself and your animals more time for a safe, systematic departure. Waiting for mandatory alerts may drastically affect your ability to respond in a preferred manner.

Show some further initiative and join your local response group, such as Sonoma Valley Animal Emergency Response Team located at 630 Second St. W.

For more information, contact svanimalresponse@gmail.com.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.