Read on for practical tips to help protect your pet and plan ahead.
Everbridge Emergency Alert System:
Chaffee County, Colorado offers a free emergency alert system through Everbridge, allowing you to receive notifications that matter most to you.
You can choose to sign up for alerts such as community alerts, transportation updates, weather notifications, and more—so you can stay informed in real time.
You must opt-in to this system to receive alerts. Learn more about Everbridge and how to sign up here: https://www.chaffeecounty.org/departments/sheriff/communications/everbridge.php
Here are simple steps you can follow now to make sure you’re ready before the next disaster strikes:
Step 1. Get A “Pet Rescue Alert Sticker”
Post this easy-to-use sticker on or near your front door to let people know pets are inside your home. Include the species and numbers. Also include an emergency contact name and phone number. If you have evacuated with your pets, mark evacuated on this sign. Free emergency pet alert stickers are available at Ark-Valley Humane Society’s main Buena Vista shelter.
Step 2: Arrange A Safe Haven
Plan ahead so you and your pets can stay together whenever possible. Not all evacuation centers accept animals, so identifying pet-friendly options in advance is essential. Do your best not to leave pets behind, as they can become trapped, injured, or lost. Avoid tethering them to poles or trees, which prevents them from escaping if danger approaches.
Consider identifying a few backup options now:
- Friends or family who could temporarily care for your pet
- Pet-friendly hotels or lodging outside your immediate area
- Temporary pet boarding facilities
In Chaffee County, Colorado, Ark-Valley Humane Society serves as the designated emergency shelter for pets during evacuations when it is safe and operational to do so. Always follow current evacuation directives from law enforcement agencies.
In large-scale emergencies, capacity may be limited. Whenever possible, try to arrange an alternative pet-friendly place to go. This helps keep your pet safe and allows Ark-Valley Humane Society to focus resources on animals without alternate safe haven options.
Step 3. Secure A Designated Caregiver
This is a person to whom you are entrusting to execute your emergency plan in case you are away and cannot get home if an alert is issued. When choosing a temporary caregiver, consider someone who lives close to your residence. It should be someone you trust, who lives close, has access to your house, is usually home, and knows your pets. Be certain they know the location of everything your pet needs, including food, supplies, medications, and veterinary records.
Step 4. Prepare A Pet Emergency “Go-Kit”
See below for recommended items to include in your pet’s “go-kit.” In an emergency, it’s best to plan for the worst-case scenario. Even if you expect to be away only briefly, prepare as though you may not be able to return home for an extended period.
To help ensure a smooth and safe evacuation, take these steps in advance:
- Make sure dogs and cats are wearing collars with up-to-date ID tags. Include your pet’s name and your contact information on carriers and crates as well.
- Microchipping is strongly recommended as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades and can be read by a scanner at most veterinary clinics and animal shelters. Be sure to keep your contact information linked to your pet’s microchip up-to-date at all times. Ark-Valley Humane Society offers discounted microchipping for $25 for all pet-owners.
- If possible, crate pets early once evacuation notices are issued. This can help reduce stress and prevent pets from hiding, becoming disoriented, or running off during a stressful situation.
- Keep your pet’s emergency “go-kit,” along with leashes, carriers, and crates, stored near an exit so they are easy to grab quickly.
The following Pet Disaster Checklist, adapted from guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlines the essential supplies you should have ready to keep your pet safe in the event of an emergency:
Evacuation of Horses & Livestock
In Chaffee County, Colorado, the Chaffee County Fairgrounds serves as the designated livestock evacuation site when it is safe and operational to do so. Always follow current evacuation directives from law enforcement agencies.
In large-scale emergencies, capacity may be limited. Whenever possible, try to arrange an alternative safe haven for your horses and livestock. This helps keep your animals safe and allows the Chaffee County Fairgrounds to focus resources on animals without alternate safe haven options.
Consider identifying a few backup options now:
- Neighboring farms, ranches, or agricultural partners outside the impacted area
- Friends or family with suitable property outside the impacted area
- Pre-arranged boarding, pasture, or private land agreements
Other Considerations for Horses & Livestock:
Prepare your facilities:
- Keep barns, pastures, and handling areas clean and free of hazards
- Clear walkways, gates, and exits of debris, equipment, and flammable materials
- Regularly inspect fencing, flooring, and manure/septic areas
- Reduce fire risk by prohibiting smoking near animal areas
- Use caution with electrical equipment like box fans, heaters, or power tools, and ensure all wiring is safe and secured
Prepare your animals:
- Train animals to be safely handled and loaded into trailers before an emergency
- Practice loading when possible to reduce stress during real evacuations
- Ensure animals are familiar with multiple handlers if feasible
Prepare your transportation:
- Maintain trailers in good working condition and keep them ready for use
- Check tires, hitch systems, safety chains, and brakes regularly
- Confirm your towing vehicle is appropriately rated for your trailer and load
Build a support network:
- Coordinate with neighboring farms, ranches, and livestock owners through phone tree/buddy systems
- Share resources such as trailers, space, and labor when needed
Keep essentials ready:
- Veterinary records and identification
- Emergency contact list (vet, neighbors, partners, emergency contacts)
- Store copies where they can be quickly accessed during evacuation
Special Considerations for Birds:
- Transport in a secure, well-ventilated carrier
- Keep carriers in a quiet, low-stress environment
- Avoid extreme heat or direct sunlight during transport. In warm weather, carry a spray bottle to periodically moisten your bird’s feathers
- Keep your bird’s leg bands on for identification
- Items to keep on hand: Catch net, blanket or sheet to lightly cover cage if needed to reduce stress while maintaining airflow, cage liner
Special Considerations for Reptiles:
- Bring a sturdy bowl large enough for your pet to soak in
- Maintain appropriate temperature using temporary safe heating methods like a heating pad or hot water bottle
- A snake may be temporarily transported in a pillowcase. Be sure to have permanent and secure housing once you reach your safe haven location
Special Considerations for Small Animals:
- Small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and gerbils should be transported in secure carriers with good ventilation, bedding, food, and water
- Items to keep on hand: Comfort items such as hide boxes or tubes, salt lick, extra water bottle, a week’s worth of extra bedding and food