Animal Evacuation

Thanks KayDee. The northwest has had its share of tragic wildfires this season and sadly, it's not done yet. People managed to get evacuated but what happens to animals in these situations. Karen Crumbaker is the Extension Agent for Colorado State University Larimer County Extension in Fort Collins where they know a little about wildfires and floods.

CRUMBAKER: From Katrina they learned that a lot of people would not evacuate their home because they weren't able to take their pet with them. So that's kind of what we're looking at is how do you shelter these animals. In the case of the High Park fire with the larger animals, with the livestock, with the horses they were sheltered at the fairgrounds.

One of the big issues with larger animals is who becomes responsible to evacuate the animals if they are left behind.

CRUMBAKER: In Larimer County we have the Larimer County Horseman's Association that is actually on stand-by with the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management. Those folks go in when people have to evaluate and they're not able to get their horses or their livestock out - and go into those areas if it's safe and try and bring those horses out.

Crumbaker says it is important to train your horse to go into a trailer to make evac easier. And she has a reminder about small pets.

CRUMBAKER: Just like what is recommended for humans is that you have an evacuation kit for your animals. Any kind of medication, food, leashes, identification. Anything for

I'm Greg Martin and that's today's AgriBeef Minute.

Thanks Greg. Don't forget Greg will be back each Wednesday with the AgriBeef Minute. Agri Beef Co - Real Families, Great People, Exceptional Beef. I'm KayDee Gilkey.