*Evacuation instructions for large animals offered
Sept. 25, 2009
http://www.delmartimes.net/news/261118-evacuation-instructions-for-large-animals-offered
San
Diego County currently is under a Red Alert for firestorms. The staff
of the Del Mar Fairgrounds would like to assist stable owners and
managers, trainers and owners of horses with evacuation plans in the
event of a firestorm in San Diego County, and the probability that your
horses will be transported to the Del Mar Fairgrounds or Del Mar
Horsepark for shelter.
During the 2007 firestorms, the
Fairgrounds housed about 2,200 horses and other large animals. We also
sheltered animals during the 2003 Cedar fire. Based on what we learned
in meetings with staff from the County's Office of Emergency Services,
Animal Control, volunteers, veterinarians, and evacuees, we would like
to provide information as to what to expect once you arrive at the
Fairgrounds with your horses.
Before your horses leave your home or stables, please:
- Make sure they have halters, lead ropes and water buckets.
-
Make sure the horses are identified. If your horse does not have their
name on its halter, put duct tape on it with its name and your phone
number. We've seen phone numbers painted on the sides and hooves of
horses as well.
- If you have time, please load some hay on your
trailers. While the Fairgrounds can order hay while providing shelter,
its delivery can be delayed if highways are closed due to the fires.
- Pack general first aid supplies, such as antiseptic ointments and bandaging materials.
When
your horses arrive at our facility, the driver of each vehicle hauling
horses will be given a form to fill out for each horse.
Our staff
and volunteers will do their best to get the trailers into the barn
areas quickly, get the animals unloaded and into stalls. Passenger
vehicles may be diverted to be parked in another area. This will be done
to facilitate the sheltering of your animals, so that the trailers and
vans may leave as quickly as possible to pick up more animals being
evacuated and requiring shelter.
In the event of an evacuation,
please call (858) 755-1161 for information. You will be prompted to
enter # 1 to reach the Stable Office.
We hope this information will be helpful to you while you are making your plans in the event of evacuation.
For more information, please contact:
Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-755-1161
info@sdfair.com
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