Learn to help animals in disaster
When disasters such as floods, fires or hazardous spills occur, the primary concern of rescuers is saving people - not animals. During the panic that follows, many animals are left behind to fend for themselves, becoming imprisoned in abandoned homes or wandering the streets aimlessly - often frightened, hungry, lost and injured.
A new noncredit course offered by Elgin Community College, "Animals in a Disaster: Awareness: Preparedness and Community Planning," helps owners of domestic and farm animals prepare a plan for animals before a disaster strikes. The course is held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 in Room 114 of the Advanced Technology Center and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 in Room 239 of the ATC. Both locations are on the Main Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Cost is $69.
The class, taught by certified Pet Tech advisers Paulina Johnson and Tammie Varaino, has relevance with the recent flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the Mississippi River. Johnson said many animals in Cedar Rapids were left behind in homes, tied up on porches and in yards. In other rural locations, livestock was abandoned.
"If you leave your animals behind in the event of a disaster there is no guarantee that anyone will even find them in time to save their lives," Johnson said. "Floodwaters breed disease; water is contaminated and may cause illness or death if it is the only sole source of drinking water. Hoofed animals left in standing water will develop fungus and destruction of their hoofs. Fire speaks for itself."
In the class, Johnson and Variano, both certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, give information on typical hazards, what can be done to reduce the impact of disasters and steps to recover from them. The instructors also discuss the phases of emergency management; meteorological, geological and technological hazards; how to care for pets, livestock and horses in disasters; and federal mitigation and preparedness aid programs.
For more information on these courses, contact Deb Keisler, ECC professional program manager in community education, at (847) 214-7203. To register for July 17 (CED 702-200) or July 26 (CED 702-201) courses, call (847 622-3036.