Prepare your pets for emergencies.
Pets are important members of our families and need to be considered when a family responds to emergencies. Emergencies and crisis situations are very stressful but can be greatly simplified with prior planning. Whether it is a fire, flood, hurricane or an unexpected hospitalization, having an emergency plan in place is the key to success and safety.
See Etta Lopresti's locally televised
interview with HSVB&IRC's Director of Protective Services Ilka Daniel about
the options available to area residents and their pets in the event of a
hurricane.
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To download the Humane Society's Disaster Planning Brochure, «click here».
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View slides from our educational presentation by
«clicking here».
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«DOWNLOAD
A LIST»
OF LOCAL EMERGENCY CONTACTS!
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Also, visit the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security emergency preparedness web site:
http://www.ready.gov.
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Some of the steps you may need to take when preparing for the unexpected (such as assembling a Pet
Emergency Supply Kit and developing a Disaster Emergency Plan) will vary depending on the nature of
the emergency. With some prior thought, you can easily modify your process for the disaster at hand.
Liberty Magnet School has been designated as our county's first pet-friendly evacuation shelter.
«Click here» to learn more about this option.
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Whatever plans you make, it is critical that your pets are considered in your plan. Keep in
mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals. No animal should be left
behind in the event you have been given the order to evacuate.
If you must evacuate, take your pets with you! Keep in mind that public emergency shelters may
not allow your pets. Most shelters in Indian River County are not
"pet-friendly." So, start now to look for sheltering alternatives that will work for both you
and your pets. Please remember: It is possible to evacuate with your pets, even if the pets may not
be welcome at your final destination. Prior planning and preparation will ensure
safety for both you and your
pets.
 As
a last resort, Indian River County
now has its first "pet-friendly" animal shelter. Admission to this shelter will
require some preparation on your part. Act now by downloading an «Annual
Pet-Friendly Shelter Registration Form». This PDF form can be completed and
submitted electronically, or you can download and print the form so it can be
completed manually. Remember: space will be limited so, if you expect to need
this facility,
apply now!
The emergency situation in our area is constantly changing.
For more information, we encourage you to stay in touch with the «IRC Emergency Operations Center» and
visit the local «Red Cross'
hurricane preparedness» web site.
It is important to make an emergency plan. You can rely on our informative brochure
«If You Go, They Go». Preparing for the unexpected makes sense. Get ready now!
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Prepare - Get a Pet Emergency Supply Kit.
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Please see our «If You Go, They Go» brochure for a list of necessary items for your Pet Emergency
Supply Kit.
Just as you do with your family's emergency supply kit, think first about the basics
for survival, particularly food and water.
Consider two kits. In one, put everything you and your pets will need to stay where you are. The
other should be a lightweight, smaller version such as a backpack left in the trunk of your car that
you can take with you in an emergency evacuation. Please be sure to review your kits regularly to ensure
that contact phone information is current and that foods, water, and medicines are fresh.
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Plan - What You Will Do in an Emergency.
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 Establish a plan for each type of emergency that could occur and make sure all members of your household are familiar with the plan. The key to a successful plan is to prepare ahead of time and to practice an evacuation should the need occur. You should understand and plan for all possibilities. Use common sense and the information you are learning here to determine if there is immediate danger.
In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for instructions. If you're specifically told to evacuate, shelter-in-place, or seek medical treatment; do so immediately.
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Stay Informed - Know About Types of Emergencies
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 It is very important to stay informed about what could happen and what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region as well as emergency plans that have been established by your state and local government. For more information about how to prepare, visit
«http://www.ready.gov» or call 1-800-BE-READY.
Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet
ready.
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Local Emergency Response Agencies
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Emergency Agencies serving Indian River County |
Phone # |
Website |
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Dial 911 (in the event of an emergency) |
911 |
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HSVB&IRC Receiving |
772.388.4592 or
772.388.3331 x29
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«click here» |
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HSVB&IRC Adoptions |
772.388.3331 x10 |
«click here» |
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HSVB Lost & Found |
772.388.3331 x 30 |
«click here» |
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After Hours Emergencies |
IRC Sheriff at
772.569.6700 |
«click here» |
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Animal Welfare Concerns |
772.388.3331 x 30 |
«click here» |
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Sheriff's Department (non-emergency) |
772. 978.6240 |
«click here» |
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Vero Beach Police Department (non-emergency) |
772.978.4600 |
«click here» |
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Sebastian Police Department (non-emergency) |
772.589.5233. |
«click here» |
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Indian River Shores Police Department (non-emergency) |
772.231.2451 |
«click here» |
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Fellsmere Police Department (non-emergency) |
772.571.1360 |
«click here» |
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Indian River County Animal Control |
772.226.3485 |
«click
here»
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City of Vero Beach Animal Control |
772.978-4600 |
«click here» |
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Florida Wildlife Hospital |
321.254.8843 |
«click
here»
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Busch Wildlife Sanctuary |
561.575.3399 |
«click
here»
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Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital |
772.286.6200 |
«click
here»
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Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline |
888.404.3922 |
«click here» |
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Ranch and Grove (Agricultural Animals)
IRC Sheriff's Department |
772.569.6700 |
«click here» |
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Manatee Hotline |
888.404.3922 |
«click here» |
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Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission |
888.404.3922 |
«click here» |
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United States Department of Agriculture
(circus & pet shop concerns) |
919.855.7100 |
«click here» |
«DOWNLOAD
A LIST»
OF THESE LOCAL EMERGENCY CONTACTS!
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