Being prepared is the key to a successful evacuation plan!

If you have livestock or a large number of pets it is suggested that you start your evacuation process when the Stage 2 voluntary evacuation notification comes out.  If you wait until it is mandatory, you may not have enough time to get all your animals loaded up and moved before roads are closed and you can no longer return home, or have someone came help you.


1)  Know where you will take your livestock and other animals during a disaster.  Do not count on your local fairgrounds as they could be full or possibly not open yet.  I personally have 4 locations, one close but not in my direct area, one about 20 miles away and another about 50 miles away and the last being in the next state over, just in case..  You never know if your chosen location might also be under evacuation orders.


2)  Make sure you have a way to transport your livestock and pets.  Livestock should load easily into a trailer, weather it is your trailer or someone elses.  Make sure you have crates for any poultry you may have.  Dogs and cats should be crate trained in case you end up having to take them to a Red Cross or other evacuation site or shelter.  If you have exotics, which can be tempurture sensative, make sure you have a safe place for them and a safe way to transport also  If you do not have a way to transport make sure you have 3 or 4 people who can assist. 


3)  Have "go bags" ready for all your animals.  This can be as simple as a backpack for a dog or cat, or a tote for a horse. Feed needs to be considered also.  At our ranch we keep a supply of Alfalfa and also Bermuda, but we do ask that those evacuating supply their own feed.  We are happy to suppliment untill you can get feed, but as the owner, you are resonsible.  


​4)  Have a way to ID your animals.  ID tag, phone number written on a horses hoof, microchip, duct tape on a dogs collar.  Make sure any microchip and ID tag info is correct.  


5)  Remember, you will need to have a way to get your animals back home once it is safe.



Livestock in Disaster