AVMA publishes disaster preparedness guide for small farms

Photo: StevertS/Adobe Stock

As hurricane season blows into full force, it is important for veterinary clients to be prepared for potential emergencies. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends farm owners create a personal plan in the event of a disaster, whether it be nature-related or human-made. To help with this, the organization published a disaster preparedness guide to help farms be ready to safeguard their horses, livestock, poultry, and/or rabbits.^1,2

“Disaster and emergency preparedness and response are important issues to the AVMA. Animals are affected by the same disasters and emergencies as people—natural, man-made, large, and small. Whether it's a hurricane or tornado, a flood or earthquake, a chemical leak or act of terrorism, veterinarians are vital to response and recovery efforts during and after disaster,” wrote the AVMA in a disaster preparedness article.³ “We also play an important role in promoting and aiding preparedness, to limit the impact of disasters on both animals and people,” it continued.

Their guide, titled “Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals,” is a booklet that can be freely downloaded. It contains tips and advice, evacuation kit checklists, and important information for farm owners. Moreover, the guide is also available in Spanish (Preparación para Granjas Pequeñas) and is similar to AVMA’s "Save the Whole Family" guide, which has been popular among pet owners for protecting animal companions, according to the AVMA.¹

The Small Farm Preparedness guide educates farm owners on the process of creating a plan, providing information on what to do “at the first sign of trouble,” how to plan for transportation and temporary housing, gathering necessary equipment, and more. It also walks owners through how to prepare to implement the preparedness plan and how to stay informed throughout all stages of an emergency, including before and after. Additionally, it provides information on how to make an evacuation kit in advance and what to do after a disaster.

The guide also includes advice for owners who may not be with their animals during a disaster, ensuring caretakers have necessary information to increase the likelihood of reuniting with lost animals. Moreover, it offers printable resources such as emergency contact cards and the evacuation kit checklists for different animals.

Several of the resources in the guide are also available as separate handouts for veterinary clients, in English and Spanish, including¹:

• Evacuation kit checklist: Horses and livestock
• Evacuation kit checklist: Rabbits and poultry
• Emergency contact cards

“AVMA resources help both veterinarians and our clients be prepared for any kind of emergency,” the AVMA wrote,³ speaking on the use of its disaster preparedness resources.

References

1. Free guide helps small farms prepare for emergencies. American Veterinary Medical Association. July 22, 2024. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://www.avma.org/blog/free-guide-helps-small-farms-prepare-emergencies?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-blog
2. Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/aph-save-the-whole-family-farm-animals.pdf
3. Disaster preparedness. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/disaster-preparedness