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.
- Animal Monitoring Sheets
- Being in a shelter is stressful, which can lead to new medical conditions or worsening of current conditions. Documentation of an animals appetite, amount of drinking, and eliminations is extremely helpful in understanding the impact being in a shelter has on that animal and what supportive care might be needed.
Small Animal Monitoring Sheet
Large Animal Monitoring Sheet - Animal Intake Forms & Master List
- Documentation of animals coming into the shelter is absolutely vital! Whether the animal is being dropped off by the owner, by a neighbor, a Good Samaritan, or an Animal Control Officer, information on where that animal came from and who it belongs to is crucial to ensure it is reunited with it’s owner.Shelter Intake Form
Animal Master List
Shelter and Veterinary Consent Form - Additional Species Resources
- Disasters do not discriminate between species! And some species are more particular than others when it comes to what they should and should not eat. CVET has developed these Care and Feeding Guides to provide basic care information to support sheltering efforts and hopefully prevent additional medical problems! In addition, the Vitals Signs Guide provides normal vital information for multiple species, providing references for what is normal to determine if veterinary care is needed.
Avian, Small Mammal, and Exotic Care & Feeding Guide
Large Animal Care & Feeding Guide
Vital Sign Guide (all species)
Shelter Biosecurity Checklist - Large Animals
Shelter Biosecurity Checklist - Small Animals