There was Katrina, the wild fires in California, the flooding and tornados across the United States and Hurricane Sandy – all major events that we heard about on the news. The aftermath of these disasters followed for weeks, months and, in some cases, years.

Many pet care businesses have not taken the time to map out a plan if their area is affected by a natural disaster. How do we keep all the pets safe and assure they are well cared for? The big disasters are obvious to the world, but what about the emergencies that can affect our individual businesses, like a fire, an explosion or a hazardous material spill?

Emergency preparedness can save the lives of the pets in your care and allow you to help others who have not prepared for such an event. Prevention measures can also protect valuable business information allowing your business to be up and running quickly, reduce losses of equipment, revenue and inventory, and potentially save the facility itself.

Advanced planning will provide your employees and clients with a sense of security and loyalty to your business. They will know the care and protection of their pets always comes first.

Defining a Facility Emergency
A facility emergency is any unplanned event that can cause significant injury or potential death to pets, employees, customers or the public. It can also disrupt operations, shut down your business or cause physical and/or environmental damage.

A few examples of common emergencies and disasters that can affect your business are fires, floods, gas leaks, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, power outages, burglary, riots, mudslides, avalanches, lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, oil, fuel, chemical or sewage spills, wildfires, excessive snow/snow loads, and nuclear hazards.

Speak to Your Insurance Agent
Your insurance agent may have recommendations for fire prevention or other protection measures. If you are in an area prone to floods, you will want to understand and consider flood insurance. Don’t wait until an emergency occurs to know whether you are properly insured. Call or meet with your agent and evaluate your policies to ensure you are adequately covered. Agents may also be able to provide suggestions on how to better protect your business and lower insurance premiums.

Internal Resources, Equipment and Systems
Fire protection, communications equipment, first-aid supplies, warning devices and emergency generators are necessary components for all pet care businesses. For employees, you should have an emergency operating center where they report in case of any problem, shelter areas, first aid stations and sanitation facilities. You should also have a supply of food, water, blankets, flashlights and other emergency supplies in the event staff have to stay over. Institute a backup plan for computer systems, files and essential equipment. And consider back-up equipment – for example: water pumps and a generator for power and back-up lighting.

Help from the Outside
In the event of an emergency, other services or business assistance might be needed from external resources. Taking the time to obtain their phone numbers and reach out in advance will allow them to prepare if/when they’re needed. The local emergency management office, fire department, hazardous materials response team, EMS, hospitals, local veterinarians, local and state police, community service organizations, contractors and suppliers of emergency equipment should all be included in your emergency call list. You also need to know if your community has plans in place in the event of an emergency and if there are established evacuation routes if you must leave the area.

Staff Training
Proper staff training is a very important part of being prepared for an emergency. Staff needs to be taught how to report an emergency to the authorities, the use and function of alarm systems, and how to identify the shutoffs for gas, electric and water. Conduct staff drills for different emergency situations. Identify a meeting place and institute a check-in procedure so everyone’s safety can be confirmed. Establish a procedure to warn pet parents and employees who are not on the premises in the case of an emergency.

Review Building, Facilities and Grounds
It’s also important to know your building and grounds. Make sure your facility meets all safety and construction codes. Building and site maps will come into play as local resources respond to your emergency. A few important specifics to document, so they can easily be found or located, are the location of utilities and shutoffs, floor plans, fire extinguisher locations, exits, stairways and hazardous materials.

Do you have proper monitoring systems (fire, sprinkler, water systems) and are they tested regularly? Are there building modifications that can protect your facility such as water proofing, or engineered enhancements in the event of an earthquake? Can the building withstand high force winds? You should identify and label outside containers of gasoline, oil or propane tanks. And also identify an emergency shelter (if possible) within the building for tornados.

Emergency Response Elements
It will be important to warn, update or notify employees and customers during an emergency. You will have to develop your own system for communication.

Here are a few implementation ideas: make an announcement to all those in the building, call staff who are not on premises at the time, put announcements or updates on voice mail systems, social media and your website. If pets are being evacuated, call clients at emergency numbers to notify them where their pet will be. They may be able to make arrangements to pick up their pets.

Evacuation Procedures & Operation Shut Down
In extreme situations, it may be necessary to shut down the operation for everyone’s safety and/or evacuate the facility. If this is warranted, you will want a developed plan and guideline.

• Determine a predetermined staff meeting location so everyone can be accounted for.
• Call 911 or other emergency numbers if alarm system has not automatically notified them (in event of fire or another event that is unique to your facility).
• Have a source to listen to weather alerts and updates.
• Remove pets (if necessary) as safety conditions allow.
• Assure computer files are backed up off premises or remove the backup.
• Shut off gas lines, if appropriate.
• Turn off electric and water supplies, if appropriate.
• Have ready access to emergency supplies and first aid kits.
• Close all doors and windows.
• If pets can’t be moved off premises, move them to a safe area of the facility.
• Move vehicles to a safe location and make sure they are filled with fuel. If there are extensive power outages, gas may not be available.

Some emergencies may require evacuation, so specific details should be outlined. You will need to determine ahead of time how pets will be removed if necessary, where they will be taken, who will be in charge or be responsible, and once moved, how they will be cared for.

Protecting Vital Records
Protecting vital records and information is of the utmost importance to ensure the viability of the business after an emergency occurs. A copy of your records should be stored somewhere off site so that you will have access to pet information and pet parent contact/emergency contact information in the case of an emergency on site.

Restoring Operations and Assessing the Damage
Restoring operations needs to happen quickly, as long as the area and the facility are safe for operations to resume. You need have a list of all items that may require restoration. This list should include utilities, computers and alarms.

If there is any damage, make a written assessment, take pictures or video, and contact your insurance company. The water should also be tested before use as it could be contaminated. Only move evacuated pets back once the building is deemed safe. And if possible, reach out to see if you can aid other shelters, vets or groups that may not be as prepared as you were.

Implementation
Just writing out a plan does not mean it will be implemented. Once you have a plan, it’s time to communicate it to your staff. It is important that you go over the details with everyone that might be involved. You don’t want to write a plan and put it in a drawer. It must be reviewed periodically, updated and new staff made aware.

Writing out and having lists and procedures are excellent steps that allow you to be proactive. These procedures and lists may change as your business evolves, so they should be checked and updated on at least an annual basis.

There are so many important considerations and different scenarios when it comes to possible emergencies. The uniqueness of each physical pet care facility, the staff and the geographic area will all play into developing a detailed plan. The best pet care providers are proactive, planning for worst case scenarios. It’s not always what happens to us that matters as much as how we respond to the challenge put in front of us. Pet parents depend on us to provide quality care for their extended family. Being prepared is just one more way we can earn their trust.

Outstanding Pet Care University, www.opcuniversity.com, is dedicated to protecting and growing the Pet Care Industry through World-Class Pet Care Training and Education. OPCU’s curriculum:

Delivers necessary pet care training in the convenience of your facility. Saves training, time and energy of owners and managers. Provides convenient, technically-advanced format for immediate access. Offers immediate on-line testing to give you assurance that the material was understood. Reduces potential injuries to your staff and guests. Can increase health and happiness of the pets in your care. Protects you, your staff, and your bottom line.

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