One of the most critical services for animals during disaster response is sheltering. In large scale disasters and evacuations, owners need a safe place for their animals and reassurance that they will be cared for. At the same time, animals found in the disaster area also need shelter until their owners can be identified. Local jurisdictions (usually the county) are responsible for setting up and managing emergency animal shelters.
CVET, in collaboration with many partners, has developed a variety of resources to assist with animal sheltering operations. We consider these documents the "Shelter Toolkit" to get you going before and during a response. All forms are available to download in word so they can be edited as needed. We also encourage jurisdictions to develop additional materials such as a shelter set-up checklist and position guides to meet your specific needs. If you need examples or guidance, email us!
If you're interested in an online software system (instead of printing out paper forms) that encompasses the components listed below (as well as veterinary medical records) check out Shelterly!
And don't forget to incorporate veterinary care into your shelter operations! Ask us for help on how to do so! If you are a local veterinarian assisting at an emergency or disaster shelter and are looking for resources, check out the CVET Veterinary Resources page.