Animal Control and Protection
Gaston County Emergency Operations Plan

Coordinating Agencies: Gaston County Animal Control
  Gaston County Cooperative Extension
   
Cooperating Agencies: NC Wildlife Resources Commission
  Gaston County Police
  Others as required or requested
   
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) 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 control due to sheltered persons bringing their pets with them.
 
    4. Livestock left in evacuated areas will need to be cared for and provisions will need to be made for reentry to facilitate this need.
 
  B. Assumptions
 
    1. Gaston County will be able to expect outside assistance from the State and private sector.
 
    2. Animal protection planning will ensure the proper care and recovery of animals 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.
 
    4. Within the National Response Framework, this is an Emergency Support Function (ESF-11) and is coordinated as part of agriculture and natural resources. Additionally, this ESF incorporates the safety and well-being of livestock and household pets.
 
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. Gaston County Animal Control will be the lead agency for the CAMET program and for situation assessment and determination of resource needs. Cooperative Extension will work to coordinate the Gaston Community Animal Response Team to assist in rescuing and caring for animals affected by the disaster.  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 humane society or other similar organizations will be asked to assist in this effort.
 
  C. During emergencies, requests for animal protection assistance and resources such as food, medicine, shelter, specialized personnel, and additional veterinary medical professionals will be routed through the Gaston County Emergency Operations Center.
 
  D. Wild animals out of their natural habitats that are in danger either to themselves or humans will be handled by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission personnel. The Gaston County Animal Control Department will provide  assistance if the animals are not thought to be rabid.
 
  E. Two (2) shelter sites have been identified for disaster victims that will accept domestic animals and be known as pet-friendly. A minimum of one shelter at all times during a disaster will be accepting pets. However, if an evacuee comes to another shelter with their pet(s), efforts will be made to assist in locating the domestic animal(s) and their owner to a pet-friendly site.
 
  F. Gaston County subscribes and adheres to the provisions of PL 109-308, commonly referred to as the PETS Act, which amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in 2006.
 
IV. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
 
  A. Gaston County Animal Control will direct and control all activities related to animal protection and control during a disaster.
 
  B. As needed the Animal Control Office will coordinate their efforts with State agencies.
     
V. CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

 The line of succession is:
 
  A. Chief Animal Control Officer
 
  B. Cooperative Extension Director
 
  C. Gaston County Police Chief
 

Attachment 1
Suggested Animal Control Director/Supervisor 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.
 
  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.
Stress the importance of complete and accurate records.
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 personnel and supplies for expedient shelter for domestic animals.
   
Notify and coordinate with CART. (County Animal Response Team)
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 companion animals with:
   
Emergency Operations Center, informing the EOC that the shelter is operational.
Security (i.e. Sheriff's Department).
If expedient companion animal shelter is to be located in proximity to an emergency shelter for humans, coordinate with the Shelter Manager (i.e. Red Cross) and Health.
Gaston County Animal Response Team, HSUS, 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).