The following resources are available to assist PHS awardee institutions with animal care & use programs in planning and responding to natural and other disasters.

• Points to consider when developing a disaster plan for your facility (PDF - 75 KB) Durkee, Stephen: “Disaster Planning.” Animal Lab News Vol. 6 No. 3, (April 2007): 21-24.
  
  
• “Lessons Learned”(MS Word - 32 KB) - Compilation of U.S. Public Health Service Commission Corps Veterinarians’ findings/ recommendations as a result of efforts to rescue laboratory animals following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in September 2005.  Lessons Learned describes considerations for disaster planning, immediate response, and recovery efforts.
  
  
• Disaster Recovery: Lab Animal. 2002; 31(8): 27-30 - When dealing with recovery from a disaster, PHS- funded animal research institutions have certain responsibilities to the NIH. The authors of this article outline these responsibilities and identify areas in which federal offices can aid the affected institution in the recovery effort.
  
  
• ARENA/OLAW: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook ; 2nd edition, 2002 - (Excerpt; Section B.6 – Emergency Preparedness- pages 71-81) (MS Word - 93 KB) - ARENA/ OLAW Guidebook excerpt providing information on Emergency Preparedness:  B.6.a) Security & Crisis Management, on developing a crisis management team, conducting a risk assessment, and establishing a communication network and  B.6.b) Disaster Planning, on developing an emergency management program and implementing a disaster plan.
  
  
• Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide: page 46) (MS Word - 21 KB) - Excerpt concerning Emergency, Weekend, and Holiday Care.
  
  
• Guide for the Care & Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching (The Ag-Guide: page 12) (MS Word - 22 KB) - Excerpt concerning Animal Husbandry: Emergency, Weekend, and Holiday Care.
  
  
• Laboratory Animal Management Association (LAMA) - Synopsized presentations and information discussed at the LAMA meeting & educational seminar held May 1-3, 2002, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The information & resources were compiled by experts in disaster preparedness & response, along with institutional representatives who have experienced natural disasters in laboratory animal facilities; includes links to relevant primary federal and non-federal resources.
  
  
• Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW: (February 24, 2005) - Guidance to PHS awardee institutions on the prompt reporting requirements of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care & Use of Laboratory Animals, to assist in determining what, when, and how situations should be reported under IV.F.3 of the Policy, and to promote greater uniformity in reporting. Harm or death to animals as a result of a natural disaster is a reportable situation.
  
  
• Lessons Learned from Katrina, Rita, and Their “Sisters:” Evacuating, Euthanizing, Rescuing, and Rebuilding. Presentations from PRIM&R/ARENA Annual IACUC Conference 2006: March 26-28, 2006, Boston.
  Moderator: Axel Wolff
  Panelists: Laura Levy (PDF - 3.5 MB), William Stokes (PDF - 5.8 MB)
  Handout (PDF - 192 KB)

• USDA-APHIS listing of U.S. State Veterinarians
  
  
• USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services Area Offices
  
  
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - AVMA Disaster Preparedness Program assists veterinarians, animal owners, and others interested in the well-being of animals, to prepare for animal safety in the event of a disaster.
  
  
• Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources (DANR) Guide, University of California at Davis- Useful information about developing a disaster response plan, disaster preparedness training, and resource availability. DANR offers information, animal care procedures and emergency-related forms that show many types of disaster preparedness activities in which promote community involvement. Check  references listed in this guide for more detailed information on disaster preparedness and emergency response.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Information obtained from the Florida Animal Disaster Planning Advisory Committee (ADPAC). This guidance is intended to be helpful to facilities where animals are routinely housed, (e.g., governmental, academic, private animal shelters, kennels, veterinary clinics & hospitals, pet shops, and horse stables).  These guidelines can help identify which disasters/dangers a facility may be vulnerable to, and what plans they can make in advance to mitigate damage and downtime.
  
  
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - FEMA’s continuing mission is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. Often FEMA works in partnership with other organizations that are part of the nation's emergency management system. These partners include state and local emergency management agencies, 27 federal agencies and the American Red Cross.
  
  

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