The following information was contributed by the Alabama Veterinary Emergency Response Team.

Disaster Readiness Checklist

• Make sure to prioritize herd health and keep vaccinations up to date.
• Have all health papers and records stored in safe location.
• Have animal identification in place.
  • Braid an ear tag into the horse’s mane. List the horse’s identification and owner’s contact information on the tag.
  • Microchip (see your veterinarian for details).
  • Temporary plastic neck bands. List the horse’s identification and owner’s contact information on the band.
• Know your evacuation plan.
  • Shelters available for horses in the path of the storm include the following:
    • Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum, 1295 Coliseum Blvd Montgomery, AL 36107
      • Contact Christi Thornton at christi@thegarrettcoliseum.com or (334) 356-6266.
    • Pike County Cattleman’s Association Arena, 4100 US HWY 231 S Troy, AL 36081
      • Contact Dick Barnett at (334) 670-1228.
  • You must supply your own feed buckets, halters, water buckets, supplies for sanitation, and bedding material.
  • Have records of feeding, vaccinations, and a Coggins test with the horse. You must also have proof of ownership of the horse.
• Have cash available for emergency purchases. Credit cards may not work.
• Have a supply of food and water for 1 to 2 weeks, with water being the priority. Adult horses need 5 to 15 gallons per day. Do not use chemical tanks to store water. Have a generator available if you have a well that depend on electricity to pump water.
• Have emergency equipment and first aid supplies. Horses standing in water for prolonged periods are susceptible to skin infections, which can lead to tetanus. Contact your veterinarian for tetanus prevention. Supplies may include the following:
  • Bandaging material
  • Wire cutters
  • Halters
  • Ropes
  • Hay bags
  • Mild dish soap to clean wounds
• Partner with other owners/ranches to do the following:
  • Identify alternative transportation options.
  • Find sources of temporary sheltering/housing.
  • Locate feed resources.
• Make sure trucks and trailers are maintained and are road worthy before the storm and before attempting to move animals to a safer area.
• Coordinate your plans with other local agricultural groups. You can contact your local Extension office ahead of time to make them aware of the number of animals you have and their locations. If you are displaced, and need emergency teams to make an assessment on the farm or ranch, this information can give those teams background information on the animals in need of assessment.

Chance Armstrong, Associate Clinical Professor, Theriogenology, Auburn University, and member of the Alabama Veterinary Emergency Response Team; and Christine Navarre, Extension Veterinarian and Professor, Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University