Current Operational Model for Veterinary Care in Large Animal Shelters During Disasters

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Disaster Response
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Disasters significantly impact animal welfare, necessitating organized veterinary care.
• Existing veterinary response in emergencies often lacks standardized operating procedures.
• Effective animal sheltering requires clear guidelines for medical care and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish standardized operating guidelines for veterinary care in emergency animal shelters.
• To enhance animal welfare and safety during disaster response.
• To improve the integration of veterinary services into disaster management systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of operational models for veterinary care in evacuation and emergency shelters.
• Integration of veterinary services within an incident command system (ICS).
• Establishment of guidelines for animal identification, triage, medical records, treatment, and discharge.

Main Results:

• Proposed guidelines address critical components of veterinary care during disasters.
• Integration into ICS ensures proper role allocation and resource coordination.
• Communication protocols with agencies and owners are outlined for improved conduct.

Conclusions:

• Standardized guidelines are imperative for organized and effective veterinary response in disaster animal shelters.
• Implementing these guidelines safeguards animal welfare and ensures safety for providers.
• Improving the animal component of disaster response is crucial for societal needs and animal well-being.