Emergency planning for pets

Emergencies may require the evacuation and sheltering of citizens, and many people will express extreme reluctance to leave a disaster area unless arrangements have been made for the care of their animals. Such refusals or delays may jeopardize the timely execution of local emergency plans.

Local governments and animal assistance organizations in the metro area are committed to minimizing both human and animal suffering by making every reasonable effort to provide emergency animal assistance.

Emergency planners are compiling a list of available resources through an Animal Resource Survey that will be completed by a variety of groups, including public and private animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics, county extension offices, pet supply retailers, humane organizations and government agencies.

This survey is based on guidance from both local and national resources, and will help Kansas City metro jurisdictions in complying with the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. The information gathered from this survey will be kept confidential and used only for emergency planning in the Kansas City metro area. 

Questions regarding the completion of the survey may be directed to the MEMC Planning Subcommittee at: 816-701-8390 or the KC Metro Animal Disaster Assistance Coalition at 913-477-7385.