Because Hawaii is subject to potential year round hazards such as flash floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, it is important for pet owners to BE PREPARED.

SHELTERS

Due to so called "hazards" to human health, (logistics & sanitation problems), pets are not permitted in public shelters. Pet owners need to make their own advanced preparations to ensure the safety of their pets in the event of a disaster. Many animals died after Hurricane Iniki because pet owners left them tied up, forgotten for days, in some cases for weeks. Many dogs strangled themselves on what normally would not be considered dangerous objects because they were overly stressed about being left behind.

Be careful not to leave your pet tied too close to a fence were it might become tangled. If you must leave your dog home alone, try to leave it inside the house where it will feel safer and less anxious. Be prepared to move your pets in animal airline crates that can fit in your vehicle. These crates can house animals during the disaster placed in a safe place inside your home. Have your dogs & cats wear a well fitted collar and identification tag at all times. Cats need "break-away" collars to prevent them from choking if they get snagged on a fence or tree.

What to do NOW:

1. Buy extra collars and I.D. tags (your name, address, phone #) and if possible get your pets micro-chipped

2. Have a leash for each pet

3. Buy a portable plastic crate for each dog and cat and get them used to it by making it comfortable (mats, blankets, etc.) inviting (feed them in it) and fun (toys & treats). These crates can be purchased at discount stores, pet stores, and from your veterinarian. The crate should be appropriately sized with enough room in the carrier for food & water dishes, space for the pet to lie down and turn around, and a shoe
box sized litter box for cats. Be sure to familiarize your pet with the carrier in advance.

4. Buy non-spill-type water & food bowls that fit into these crates.

5. Take and keep photos of all your pets to assist in locating them if they become lost.

6. Keep "Anxiety & Stress" Formula on hand (see supplements.).

After the emergency or disaster, attend to your pets as soon as possible. They may be frightened and disorientated. Allow your pets outside only when on a leash and above all be sure your pet is wearing a collar and ID tag. Familiar scents and landmarks may have been altered causing your pet to become confused and possibly lost. This is especially true for cats. After Hurricane Iniki, the Humane Society received thousands of calls for lost pets. It is necessary to take extra precautions and care after a disaster to ensure your pets' safety.

Your dog will probably not want to be away from your side. So when you must leave it home alone, try to leave the dog inside the house where it will feel safer and less anxious. If your dog is used to being tied up, make sure he is away from fences, porches (where he may hang himself) and provide shade, toys, treats & water.

FOOD

Next to having shelter and water, food is a main concern for animal owners during disasters. If we were to have a disruption in our supply lines from the mainland or Oahu , the feed stores would run out of supplies in 1-3 weeks. It is recommended to have at least a 1-month supply of dry and canned food for dogs & cats. If you are not already cooking food for your pets or feeding table scraps, this will be necessary when your supply of ready made commercial food runs out.

Animals can be fed many of the foods that people eat. They could also hunt, kill and eat rodents,insects, and forage for fruits and vegetables that grow on the islands. It would be very advisable for people to have gardens in their back yards, or some shared plot designed for communities for to grow their own vegetables and fruits to live on. Just as people need protein, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, and minerals so do pets.

The list below is what you can feed pets and what proportions in the event we have a disruption in our supplies of commercial dog and cat food. Home- cooked and raw food diets can be formulated based upon individual needs of cats & dogs. Using the volume (%) formulas listed below, you can utilize "people food" and "table scraps" to feed your pets. If you have refrigeration you can make a weeks supply of food at one time.

This % can be represented in CUPS. For example, if a dog needs 20% protein + 50% starches + 30% vegetables, this can be represented as 2 cups of meat + 5 cups of rice + 3 cups of veggies. Then depending upon the body weight of your dog, you can feed about ½ cup of this mixture per 10 - 20 lbs. of a dog's weight. A 50lb dog would eat about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of dog food twice a day. Cats on the other hand will eat about ¼ cup to ½ cup twice daily.

Protein

DOGS: can survive on a diet of 15 to 25 % protein. Younger animals need more protein in their diets and older dogs need less.
CATS: can survive on a diet of 30 to 60% protein. Kittens will need more than an adult cat.

TURKEY
CHICKEN
DUCK
RABBIT
PORK
BEEF
GOAT
LAMB
ORGAN MEATS (such as liver, kidneys, heart, and gizzards are very good if available)
LENTILS (cooked)
BEANS (cooked)
EGGS (raw or cooked)
NUTS (ground macadamia, sesame seeds, almonds, and sunflower seeds)
PROTEIN POWDER (milk based if possible... soy powder may be harder to absorb)
FISH (due to parasite problems, fresh water fish should be cooked)
CANNED TUNA OR SARDINES
SPIRULINA
SEAWEED (kelp, limu)
POWDERED OR CANNED MILK

Of course, cats will hunt for rats, mice, geckos, and birds to supplement their protein needs.

Starches

This category includes grains and vegetables:
DOGS: need 40 to 50% of their diets to be starches & carbohydrates
CATS: need 25 -30 %. Younger animals need less carbohydrate (and more protein), older ones require more.

RICE (brown or white) / BARLEY
SWEET POTATO / QUINOA
BREADFRUIT / PASTA
TARO / POI / WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
POTATO / MILLETT
TAPIOCA / PUMPKIN or SQUASH
GREEN PAPAYA (cooked) / BANANAS (cooked)
PANDANUS ROOTS (cooked)

To digest these properly in the stomachs of cats & dogs grains and vegetables must be cooked (as for humans).

Fats

This category includes vegetables, oils, and meats. This list includes mostly what can be grown in the Islands.
DOGS: 1 tablespoon per 25 lbs. of body weight. If your dog isn't eating much meat
then double this amount.
CATS: 1 teaspoon per 10 LB of body weight twice daily

AVOCADO / COCONUT MEAT OR OIL
MACADAMIA / VEGETABLE OIL
CANNED TUNA FISH OIL
SHELL FISH (shrimp, lobster, oysters, and clams)

Fruits

Fruits supply sugar, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and mineral... good energy food. If you run out of other things to feed, dogs usually will eat any of the fruits listed below, especially if mixed with coconut milk. Cats will usually not eat any fruit except cantaloupe and tomato juice.

PAPAYA
GUAVA
BANANA
APRICOTS
TOMATO
APPLE
MELONS
CITRUS
BREADFRUIT (FERMENTING)
GRAPES

Minerals

If animals are not eating balanced diets, the most important ingredients to add to
whatever foods they are eating are minerals. Without minerals, animals will die.

SEAWEED (limu) ALAE SALT
SEA SHELLS (crushed & sterilized)
DIRT (sterilized)
FOREST MUSHROOMS (growing on dead logs, tough hard type known as
polypores)
SHITAKE
SPIRULINA
BLUEGREEN ALGAE

A ½ teaspoon mixed with food per 25lb dog or 10lb-cat daily is necessary if meat and vegetables are not provided.

Vitamins

When animals are sick, old, young, or eating unbalanced diets, they will die without vitamins. Keep an extra stock of pet vitamins stored. Human vitamin products can be used in pets. Check with your veterinarian for dosages. The following mixture can be used on both cats & dogs:

BREWER'S YEAST: 1 CUP
+
KELP POWDER: ¼ CUP
+
BONE MEAL: ¼ CUP
+
LIVER POWDER: ¼ CUP (Schiff's brand)
+
SPIRULINA: 1/8 CUP

DOSAGE:
DOGS: Small ½ teaspoon twice daily
Medium 1 teaspoon twice daily
Large 2 teaspoons twice daily
CATS: ½ TO ¾ teaspoon twice daily mixed with food

WATER

Animals (and people) can survive without food longer than water. Our bodies and our pets' bodies comprise of over 85% water. The body needs water to make blood cells,repair tissues, assist in absorbing nutrients to help feed cells, and remove wastes products from the blood.

The average dog needs about 1 cup of water per 20 lbs. of body weight per day. If only dry food is eaten, then this should be TWICE as much especially in hot weather. Puppies, older dogs, and animals, which are ill, require more. Cats usually do not drink as much water as a dog, but liquids must be given especially if fed only dry food. Canned milk or powdered milk added to water can induce them to take more fluids. This is important for cats with kidney or bladder problems. Some cats will enjoy tomato juice mixed with their dried food. The average cat should drink about ½ cup of water per 6 lbs. of body weight daily.

It is essential to store water (1-3months supply) if living in the city or on the drier parts of the Island. If you plan to store water for more than 6 months, it should be in GLASS CONTAINERS because plastic containers will leak poisonous substances that could be fatal to guinea pigs, hamsters, aquarium fish and birds. If you live near a fairly clean stream, you can boil this water (15 minutes), or use a camping-type water-filtering pump. The main concerns for using stream water are:

1. parasites: leptospirosis & giardia
2. bacteria: E. coli, Staph., & Strep
3. viruses: Hepatitis
4. chemicals: pesticides, herbicides, poisons
5. heavy metals: lead, mercury, arsenic

Boiling water with a lid on your pot will take care of # 1,2, & 3, but special filters are needed to remove chemicals and heavy metals.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

During a disaster veterinary services may be hard to come by due to downed telephone and electric poles, lack of communication, and little or no gasoline to drive anywhere. It is important to learn some animal first aid, store extra medications, bandage supplies, and if your pets are chronically ill, extra supplies of medicine. The main considerations to worry during times of disasters when veterinary services may be limited are:

1. Compromised immune system

a. Puppies should be vaccinated against Parvo & Distemper

b. Adult dogs should be current for Leptospirosis if they are exposed to rivers, streams and rats. To protect against infection give doxycycline 50 mg per 25-50lbs body weight of dog once daily if your pet is living near streams or mud puddles near cattle
ranches or pig farms. The vaccine administered routinely by veterinarians will NOT protect your dog from the leptospirosis from cattle and pigs. Check with your veterinarian. Lepto can be fatal if left untreated. Cats are rarely affected.

c. Immune stimulating products can be given to PREVENT problems such as: Vit C,Echinacea, bioflavanoids, zinc, medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, reishi, and maitake),and Chinese Patent flu medications (Yin Qiao, Ganmaoling)

2. Parasites

a. Have at least a 6 -month supply of heart worm preventative medicine (Pro-Heart,Ivermectin, Heartguard, or Interceptor)

b. Fleas / ticks
If water is available, simple bathing every 5-7 days with a pyrethrin based shampoo, Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap, or a cedar based shampoo will be effective. Alternatively, you may add 1 tsp of oil of neem, citronella, or rosemary to any mild
human shampoo. Check with your veterinarian.

c. Intestinal worms: the most common types are tapeworms. If medication is not available, they can be controlled (but not totally irradicated) by giving Garlic.

GARLIC:

Dogs:
Small: ½ raw clove twice daily for one week
Medium: 1 clove twice daily for one week
Large: 2 cloves twice daily for one week

Following the garlic give a small meal of white rice, coconut milk, and ripe or cooked papaya. Feed only one main meal daily and decrease the amount of meat for that week. Repeat in 4 to 6 weeks. The worms will come out alive and "kicking".

Cats:
½ teaspoon of powdered pumpkinseeds twice daily and mixed with wet food for 1 week. Repeat in 3 weeks. If possible feed raw ripe papaya (1 tablespoon) mixed with each meal.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES

It would be very important to always be prepared for medical emergencies. A first aid kit for your family and pets should include the following:

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
NEOSPORIN EYE OINTMENT
BETADINE SOLUTION
NEOSPORIN WOUND GEL
STERILE SALINE SOLUTION
EPSOM SALTS
STERILE EYE WASH
TOURNIQUETS
ALOE VERA JUICE
BANDAGE SCISSORS
SPRAY BOTTLE
TWEEZERS
AMPICILLIN OR TETRACYCLINE
GOLDENSEAL POWDER
DOXYCYCLINE
RUBBING ALCOHOL
HOMEOPATHICS:

Arnica
Aconitum
Ledum
Rescue remedy
Apis mel

BANDAGE MATERIALS:

non-stick gauze pads
4"x4" cotton gauze pads
roll gauze
vet wrap rolls
cotton diapers or roll cotton
2 " tape porous
4" tape porous
2" waterproof tape
duct tape
2" & 4" ace bandage
liniment: witch hazel, tiger balm, Zhengushui,
absorbine cotton balls, Q-tips

ACCIDENTS

After hurricane Iniki, the most common injuries were lacerations (deep cuts), and puncture wounds. It is important to first control bleeding with a tourniquet and / or constant pressure to the area.
Then…..

1. Clean the wounds
Fresh Clean water (1 cup) + sea salt (1/2)
Use this solution in a spray bottle and clean dirt & debris out

2. Disinfect
Betadine solution mixed with water 1:1 Or Goldenseal or Hawaiian tumeric (olena) 1 tsp. in 1 cup of hot water (It would be advantageous to have Ampicillin or Tetracycline on hand to administer orally - Ask your veterinarian) Or Hydrogen peroxide (1/2 cup) mixed with Aloe Vera juice (1/2 cup)

3. Heal
Fresh ALOE Vera from the plant works really well

4. Protect
If possible, bandage the wound to protect dirt and debris from infecting the wound
1st layer: non-stick gauze (or clean Ti or comfrey leaf)
2nd layer: roll gauze or clean cotton shirt cut into 1 to 2 inch wide strips 12 -18 inches long
3rd layer: tape the bandage so it doesn't come apart

CHANGE DRESSINGS DAILY

NETWORKING WITH YOUR FRIENDS

It will become very beneficial before hand to set up a system of friends to help care for your animals if you should become separated from them and your house. A "buddy system" composed of neighborhood friends who also have pets would be mutually beneficial. You never know where you will be when disaster hits. This could keep your animals from dying of thirst or hunger. Set-up some plan with your veterinarian regarding medical care in the event that you are absent,and your animal caretakers may not be able to pay for emergency services, which can be quite high in cost.

LOST PETS

Again plan ahead, have available the following information about each of your pets:

-picture
-description, any unusual characteristics
-date last seen
-location last seen
-best way to approach the pet
-where to call AND your home address

YOUR PET'S PICTURE:

Have poster equipment handy to make signs that can be posted in your neighborhood:

POSTER PAPER (BRIGHT COLORS: YELLOW OR PINK)
HEAVY CARDBOARD (TO PASTE POSTER ON)
STAPLE GUN

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR EQUINE & LIVESTOCK OWNERS

NETWORKING RELATIONSHIPS

As livestock owners faced with an animal emergency, the most important resource you have is your cooperative community of friends and helpers. It is essential to establish a core group of people that can help you out. Knowing whom you can count on, or not will save precious time in dire situations. It can be overwhelming for many horse people to deal with injured or wounded horses alone. Networking physical hands, experience, abilities, supplies and equipment can benefit all within the community.

The time is NOW to get your people together. Meet regularly to become socially comfortable with each other, and to inventory peoples' talents and resources.

As a veterinarian for over 30 years, I have witnessed the stress and frustration that horse owners experience trying to find someone to help them in an emergency. Please have this initial preparation completed as soon as possible to save you grief, and save your animals' lives and prevent suffering.

WATER

The quintessential survival factor for horses is going to be the availability of WATER. Many horse stables within a metropolitan area rely upon water pumped by the city or county. Without power,pumps won't pump. This could last a few hours or a few weeks depending upon the locality and the severity of the problem.

The following is a list of considerations for adequate preparedness:

-Storage containers or systems for water (drinking and for fires)
Portable Water filtration & decontamination systems for the use of ground and stream water.

-Research alternative sources for water: streams, wells (your neighbors'), rivers, and lakes

-Remember, the average horse requires about 5 gallons of water a day.

FOOD

Next to water, food will be the essential item to worry about. If horses are confined to stalls and small paddocks, they are dependent upon humans to feed them hay, cubes, and minerals. I recommend having up to 3 months supply of hay & cubes for horses, along with minerals, vitamins, and any medications (wormers, allergy medications, arthritis remedies, etc.).

If you live in the country and do not have pasture available, make arrangements with neighboring farms, and neighbors to use their land to pasture your horses or livestock on their premises. I also recommend written agreements and contracts arranged a head of time so as not to have to do this when the emergency situation is prevalent. This will relieve some headaches and worry.

Other considerations are:

-Improving feed storage areas by keeping them protected from weather, mold, and mildew.

-Stocking concentrated foods such as pelleted diets, protein powders, and grain rations, spirulina powder or super blue green algae.

-Stocking a 3-month supply of essential minerals (lacking in the soil in your area) Kelp powder is very good for this purpose.

-Horses living in cold and / or dry climates will need more energy from oils. Large containers of oil (preferably stored in glass containers) such as corn, safflower, flax seed or Cod Liver would be beneficial to store in cool, dry, dark places such as cellars. They could be preserved better by adding 1000 units of Vitamin E to each gallon of oil.

-A good vitamin-mineral supplement for horses:

Brewer's Yeast - 1 LB
Kelp Powder - 4 oz.
Spirulina or Super green algae powder - 2oz.
Bee Pollen - 8 oz.

6 HEAPING TABLESPOONS OF ABOVE POWDER DAILY FOR THE AVERAGE 1000 LB HORSE.

SHELTERS

Shelters are used to protect the animals from the elements of adverse weather conditions such as excessive rain, wind, extremes of hot or cold temperatures, and safety from predators and dangerous objects. As they can protect, they can also be the cause of injuries if not properly designed. In Hurricane & high wind areas, barn roofs and support beams need to have heavy-duty "hurricane clips" added to prevent the roofs from exploding off the structure.

In 1992, when Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai, horses that were injured or killed were from a result of flying roof debris, especially sheet metal. With high winds, it may be safer to let the horses out in the pasture than keep them housed in confined quarters. It is important to pick up debris and refuse, and any other items near the horses habitat that can act as deadly projectiles in high wind (especially lumber, nails, sheet metal).

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is recommending that buildings in high wind and hurricane locations be built to withstand 250 M.P.H. winds.

Keep coral fencing in good repair. Consider wind resistance and flooding when setting posts. Avoid barbed wire fencing for horses: it is the single most common reason for injuries in horses, with resultant disfigurement and high veterinary bills.

In areas susceptible to fire dangers, it would be wise to create a "fire break" around not only your house, but also the living areas of the horses. Fire retardant roofs, sprinkler systems, and water storage for fighting fires may be essentials for preventing severe losses of live stock. Buying fire retardant horse blankets would be beneficial in evacuation of animals in firestorms.

In flood susceptible areas, building burms, drainage canals, and the planting of trees may limit storm damage and loss of lives. Refer to books written about "permaculture" which teach you not only how to use trees and shrubs to help with floods, but
hurricanes and high wind too.

Prepare a barn emergency kit:

-minimum of 100 feet of garden hose with spray nozzle (in fire danger areas, you may need 300 feet of extra garden hose)
-shovels for clearing vegetation and throwing dirt
-rake or machete for clearing vegetation
-chainsaw
-extra water & feed buckets
-wire-bolt cutters
-battery or hand crank powered radio
-flashlights
-generator
-"come-along"
-shipping boots, leg protection, blankets
-extra halters and lead ropes

In areas that are hot & dry and water availability is a problem, providing shade, and designing the building open to the wind will keep the horse cool and the water requirements lower. In such arid conditions, roofs designed to catch water with an underground storage tank would help collect and store water for dry times.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES

It would be very important to always be prepared for medical emergencies. A first aid kit for your horses (and family) should include the following:

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
NEOSPORINE EYE OINTMENT
BETADINE SOLUTION
NEOSPORIN WOUND GEL
STERILE SALINE SOLUTION
EPSOM SALTS
STERILE EYE WASH
TOURNIQUETS
ALOE VERA JUICE
BANDAGE SCISSORS
SPRAY BOTTLE
TWEEZERS
AMPICILLIN OR TETRACYCLINE
GOLDENSEAL POWDER
DOXYCYCLINE
RUBBING ALCOHOL
HOMEOPATHICS:

Arnica
Aconitum
Ledum
Rescue remedy
Apis mel

Pain medications:

-bute, aspirin, banamine, Yucca, Boswellia and
-Willow herbs
-Ginger powder (colic)

BANDAGE MATERIALS:

-non-stick gauze pads
-4"x4" cotton gauze pads
-roll gauze
-vet wrap rolls
-cotton diapers or roll cotton
-2 " tape porous
-4" tape porous
-2" waterproof tape
-duct tape
-2" & 4" ace bandage
-liniment: witch hazel, tiger balm, Zhengushui,
-absorbine cotton balls, Q-tips

ACCIDENTS

After hurricane Iniki, the most common injuries were lacerations (deep cuts), and puncture wounds. It is important to first control bleeding with a tourniquet and / or constant pressure to the area. Then…..

1.) Clean the wounds
Fresh Clean water (1 cup) + sea salt (1/2) Use this solution in a spray bottle and clean dirt & debris out, or use clean saline solution

2.) Disinfect
Betadine solution mixed with water 1:1 Or Goldenseal or Hawaiian tumeric (olena) 1 tsp. in 1 cup of hot water (It would be advantageous to have injectable Penicillin (Ask your veterinarian) Or Hydrogen peroxide (1/2 cup) mixed with Aloe vera juice (1/2 cup)

3.) Heal
Fresh ALOE vera from the plant works really well, or sterile saline solution

4.) Protect
If possible, bandage the wound to protect dirt and debris from infecting the wound
1st layer: non-stick gauze (or clean Ti leaf)
2nd layer: roll gauze or clean cotton shirt cut into 1 to 2 inch wide strips12 -18 inches long
3rd layer: tape the bandage so it doesn't come apart
.
CHANGE DRESSINGS DAILY

Treating injured horses can be a dangerous proposition for both the human and the horse. Get help first, before you try to do anything too complicated. Tie a tourniquet and call your friends.

In many high wind, ice, and flooding situations, the phone lines may be down. It could be advantageous to have a back-up "walkie-talkie" system with your friends and neighbors. Some of these systems have a range of 5 miles or so.

THE BEST TIME TO GET STARTED IS NOW!

First start with a plan of action. Sit-down with your family and discuss these matters. Write down what needs to be done and by when (time lines). Make a list of :

-Things to buy
-Things to acquire from friends
-Back-up systems
-Resources you have: equipment, supplies, tools, etc
-Resources you can share with others
-People you want to work with in your community.
-Action items: food ordering, garden work, meetings with people, etc.

Schedule a meeting for your group to get things organized, and responsibilities delegated. Choose people who you can count on to follow through. Meet regularly, at least once a month until things are handled. Some communities pool labor together to help each other with building, digging, and plantings.

GOOD LUCK!

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