Disaster Response Plan

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Providing our clients with the best service includes keeping their pets safe in the event of an emergency or a disaster. To this end, we have designed this disaster response plan for the orderly securing of pets and property in the event a disaster occurs while The Animal Nanny is providing service.

Preparation

1. At all times, all Pet Sitters with active assignments must carry 1 gallon of clean drinking water in their vehicles. This water is to be used for animals in the event that normal sources are not safe. The drinking water can be bottled water or tap water. If it is unopened bottled water, it must be unexpired. If it is opened bottled water or tap water, it must be replaced/refreshed within seven days.
   
   
2. All Pet Sitters are encouraged to take a pet first-aid and CPR course. Refresher courses should be taken every two years.
   
   
3. All Pet Sitters are encouraged to carry a first-aid and emergency supply kit in their vehicles.

Earthquake Response

INITIAL PHASE: Assess the event. In the case of an earthquake, determine the location and early magnitude readings.

Events greater than a 5.0 and not on the Hayward Fault:

Begin rounds of homes of out of town clients to check on all animals and property in an orderly fashion. An outgoing message will be left on The Animal Nanny phone line giving updated information to clients. If the earthquake has caused significant damage to the client’s home or pets, then we will attempt to contact them through their emergency contact numbers.

Events less than a 5.0 and on the Hayward Fault:

Rounds will be made starting with those homes closest to the Hayward Fault and working outward. Again, an outgoing message will be left on The Animal Nanny line giving updated information, and calls will be made to clients if their homes or pets have been damaged.

Events greater than a 5.0 and on the Hayward Fault:

Rounds will be made with those homes closest to the Hayward Fault. We will make every attempt to reach your home and check on your pets and property. However, due to rescue efforts or emergency situations we may be unable to access your property. We will notify all those out of town clients on the status of their property and pets as soon as possible. All clients will be contacted, even if there is no damage. If a large earthquake occurs during the day, then all dog walking services will be cancelled for the day. However, we will still visit all clients’ homes and check on all pets.

If a client's pet is not safe at the client's home, we will attempt to secure a safe location for the pet. First attempt is to contact the client to find out their preference. Second attempt is to contact emergency contacts of the client who can make decisions on the client's behalf. Third attempt is to locate a neighbor of the client to see if they can safely shelter the pet. If all else fails, we may move the pet to a safe third party location of our choosing that can safely shelter the pet.

If a client's pet is safe at the client's home but the standard water supply may be contaminated, we will supply the clean drinking water for the pet, using the bottled water or other clean water that we carry at all times.

Act of War or Terrorism Response

INITIAL PHASE: Assess the event. If it affects our local area, it will most likely result in potential structural damage, contamination of the air, or contamination of the water supply.

Potential structural damage response:

If there is an event that may result in structural damage, rounds will be made starting with those homes closest to the center of the event. We will make every attempt to reach your home and check on your pets and property. However, due to rescue efforts or emergency situations we may be unable to access your property. We will notify all those out of town clients on the status of their property and pets as soon as possible. All clients will be contacted, even if there is no damage. If this occurs during the day, then all dog walking services will be cancelled for the day. However, we will still visit all clients’ homes and check on all pets.

If a client's pet is not safe at the client's home, we will attempt to secure a safe location for the pet. First attempt is to contact the client to find out their preference. Second attempt is to contact emergency contacts of the client who can make decisions on the client's behalf. Third attempt is to locate a neighbor of the client to see if they can safely shelter the pet. If all else fails, we may move the pet to a safe third party location of our choosing that can safely shelter the pet.

Contaminated air response:

If there is an event that results in the contamination of the air, when it is safe for people to travel, rounds will be made to all homes in which the pets are outdoors or have direct access to the outdoors. If possible, we will attempt to secure the pets indoors. All outdoor dog activities will be cancelled. Homes with dogs will have an area set up for elimination activity. Newspaper and/or puppy pads will be placed in these areas. The Animal Nanny will not be responsible for professional cleaning charges that result from securing pets indoors without access to the outdoors after a disaster.

Dogs which are always outdoors may be moved to another location where they can be sheltered indoors. First attempt is to contact the client to find out their preference. Second attempt is to contact emergency contacts of the client who can make decisions on the client's behalf. Third attempt is to locate a neighbor of the client to see if they can safely shelter the pet. If all else fails, we may move the pet to a safe third party location of our choosing that can safely shelter the pet.

Contaminated water response:

If there is an event that results in the contamination of the water supply, pet sitters will not provide contaminated water to the pets. Instead, we will supply clean drinking water for the pets, using the bottled water or other clean water that we carry at all times.