Animals in Disasters: Veterinarian Role & Post-Recovery Healing

This journal entry reflects on the impact of disasters on animals, highlighting the importance of rescue and recovery efforts. It addresses the differing cultural attitudes towards animals, noting how perceptions vary globally, such as the contrast between Muslim views on dogs and Western cultures. The entry emphasizes the challenges faced in animal disaster response, including pet owner negligence and the involvement of stray animals. It suggests practical steps for safeguarding animals during disasters, such as contacting local emergency management and preparing emergency kits. Furthermore, it underscores the veterinarian's role in disaster management, from disease control to animal rescue, and highlights the connection between animals and humans, particularly in post-disaster recovery for victims coping with PTSD. The journal references key articles discussing animal disaster preparedness and response.

Running head: ANIMALS IN DISASTERS 1
Animals in disasters
Name:
Institution:

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Introduction
Animals are frequently caught in disaster scenarios. In certain zones of the globe, the rescue and
recovery is not a priority. Still, there are numerous considerations in what way to care for
animals who may get killed or hurt in disaster circumstances. Several get killed and injured in
forest fires, tornados and flood annually (Adini et al., 2016).
Animals can be perceived in a different light in another culture. Therefore, it is essential to
reflect the importance given to particular animals in different zones of the globe and general
perception towards them. For instance, Muslim society perceive dogs as unclean as Koran treats
them as unhygienic, but western cultures consider them as man’s best friend (Potts & Gadenne,
2014).
Very high profile response challenges have regularly risen for animals in disasters due to pet
owners failing to evacuate animals, lack of clear direction and command, owners leaving without
their pets, and involvement of stray animals. One should contact the local emergency
management workplace and ask if they provide accommodations. Also, one should remember to
take the pet’s emergency kit (Baker & Cormier, 2014).
Numerous activities will assist in safeguarding a safe response to an animal’s disaster. Stay calm
and evaluate the scenario. Avoid putting your life in danger. Always one should listen to an
emergency alert system for instruction on what should be done and whether the special
arrangement has been made. If animals have been exposed to chemicals, one should get the info
on how to handle harming himself. When the disaster has passed, it is uncommon to find that
once surrounding has been rearranged. Animals depends on the olfactory and visual cues and
may become disoriented. One should know the animals’ injury and chemical exposure. It is good

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always to consult the veterinarian if suspicion of exposure to hazardous substances (Potts &
Gadenne, 2014).
The probable roles of the veterinarian traits range from the control of disease vectors, resolution
of concerns common to several natural disasters, search and rescue, animal control, information
dissemination, maintenance of medical provision, disaster evaluation, and pre-disaster control
(Adini et al., 2016).
The connection between animals and humans is sophisticated, is impacted by many variables,
and has varied over a period. Animals may be necessary for disaster victims during the recovery
state, for instance, to cope with PTSD (Adini et al., 2016).

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References
Adini, B., Ohana, A., Furman, E., Ringel, R., Golan, Y., Fleshler, E., ... & Reisner, S. (2016).
Learning lessons in emergency management: the 4th International Conference on
Healthcare System Preparedness and Response to Emergencies and Disasters. Disaster
and military medicine, 2(1), 16. [Online]. Available from:
https://disastermilitarymedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40696-016-0026-3
Baker, L. R., & Cormier, L. A. (2014). Disasters and vulnerable populations: Evidence-based
practice for the helping professions. Springer Publishing Company. [Online]. Available
from: https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=SkdRBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Animals+in+disasters+&ots=
NGzVH4D8V3&sig=0rOhJZXiqtwprrgo2YicbagjYFg
Potts, A., & Gadenne, D. (2014). Animals in emergencies: learning from the Christchurch
earthquakes. Canterbury University Press. [Online]. Available from:
https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20153075224