All creatures safe and sound : the social landscape of pets in disasters

Some of the most striking news stories from natural disasters are of animals tied to trees or cats swimming through murky flood waters. Although the issue of evacuating pets has gained more attention in recent disasters, there are still many failures throughout local and national systems of managing pets and accommodating animals in emergencies.All Creatures Safe and Sound is a comprehensive study of what goes wrong in our disaster response that shows how people can better manage pets in emergencies―from the household level to the large-scale, national level. Authors Sarah DeYoung and Ashley Farmer offer practical disaster preparedness tips while they address the social complexities that affect disaster management and animal rescue. They track the developments in the management of pets since Hurricane Katrina, including an analysis of the 2006 PETS Act, which dictates that animals should be included in hazard and disaster planning. Other chapters focus on policies in place for sheltering and evacuation, coalitions for animal welfare and the prevention of animal cruelty, organizational coordination, decision-making, preparedness, the role of social media in animal rescue and response, and how privilege and power shape disaster experiences and outcomes. Using data they collected from seven major recent American disasters, ranging from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Florence to the Camp, Tubbs, and Carr Fires in California and the Hawaii Lava Flow, the authors provide insights about the successes and failures of animal care. All Creatures Safe and Sound also outlines what still needs to change to best prepare for the safety and welfare of pets, livestock, and other companion animals in times of crisis. Contents Foreword by Leslie Irvine Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Raining Cats and Dogs: Rumor Control and the PETS Act 2. Our Cats Are Our Keiki: Animal-Human Bonds during Disasters 3. Trunking in South Beach: The Darker Side of Pets and Animal Welfare in Disasters 4. #LostDog: Using Social Media for Reunification and Coalition Building 5. A Mile through Waist-Deep Water: Poverty, Privilege, and Pets in Disasters 6. The Orange Glow and Rising Waters: Split-Second Pet Evacuation Decisions during Disasters 7. Harvey to Florence: Group Coordination, Event Leveraging, and Key Organizational Strategies 8. Getting Ready: What Pet Owners Can Do to Be Prepared for a Disaster Appendix: Methods Notes References Index "This book uses interview data from public officials tasked with planning and executing preparation and response to natural disasters to analyze how pets, livestock, and other companion animals complicate disaster preparedness. Because many families view animal welfare as a priority, evacuation and sheltering preparations and responses must account for animals"-- Provided by publisher