We’re greateful that the B.C. government listened to our previous advocacy and the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act requires that animals be included in risk assessments and emergency management plans. But that was just the first step.
Animals, and their guardians, need to be considered and supported before, during and after emergencies. “Excluding animals from emergency planning, response and recovery can have deadly consequences” explains Bill Penhallurick, the BC SPCA’s manager of emergency response. “Animal lives can be lost, their guardians may delay or fail to evacuate, people might enter evacuation zones to rescue animals, and emergency responders may be forced to enter hazardous areas to rescue those who have remained. And when people do evacuate with their animals, they have the added stress of finding a place for their pets as well as food, supplies and veterinary care.”
When Shealene’s family was evacuated from the Fort Nelson wildfires earlier this year, she was lucky to find a hotel that allowed her whole family to stay, including their five cats. But the situation was far from ideal, as the cats would have to stay in their crates except during mealtimes and to use the litterbox. As you can imagine, this was distressing for Shealene.
Thankfully, the BC SPCA offered emergency boarding at the nearest Community Animal Centre where all five cats could stay in a single room together. BC SPCA staff sent the family frequent updates, photos and videos throughout their 15-day stay until they could be reunited as a family. Knowing their cats were safe, well cared for and happy meant one less thing for the family to worry about during a very stressful time.
We must keep animals and people safe in emergencies, which is why we’re asking B.C.’s political parties to:
- Expand provincial Emergency Support Services to include help finding pet-friendly accommodations and accessing animal food, supplies and veterinary care,
- Include food and essential supplies for animals in post-emergency financial assistance, and
- Recognize the critical role that animal welfare organizations play, include them in consultation and information-sharing, provide training and protection for their staff and volunteers, and reimburse their operating costs
Download our emergency checklist for families with pets and disaster preparedness checklist for horses to help you plan ahead.
Will you advocate for the safety of animals and people in the upcoming election?
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