Title
A MOTION establishing requirements for the animal care and control disaster and emergency response plan.
Body
WHEREAS, the survival of domestic animals is dependent on the provision of care by people, and
WHEREAS, the humane treatment of domestic animals is of value to the citizens of King County, and
WHEREAS, national experience has proven that effective response to assist domestic animals in natural and human-made disasters not only saves the lives of animals, is essential to save the lives of the people who are unwilling to leave their pets behind, and
WHEREAS, King County provides shelter for approximately twelve thousand domestic animals annually who are lost, abandoned, surrendered or unclaimed, and
WHEREAS, King County is responsible for providing animal care and control services to thirty-four contract cities, and
WHEREAS, King County must take the necessary steps to plan and prepare for both natural and human-made disasters and emergencies, and
WHEREAS, King County animal care and control will likely be designated the lead agency in coordinating animal-related disaster and emergency aid, if the county needs to respond to a natural or human-made disaster or emergency affecting domestic animals, and
WHEREAS, the King County animal care and control shelters may be directly affected by natural or human-made disasters and emergencies, and
WHEREAS, private resources in King County can assist King County animal care and control in effectively responding to natural or human-made disasters and emergencies that affect domestic animals as well as those animals in King County shelters, and
WHEREAS, expertise is available both locally and nationally on how King County's can best plan and prepare for natural and human-made disasters and emergencies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The county executive is requested to file with the clerk of the council by November 1, 2009, twelve copies of an animal care and control disaster and emergency response plan, for distribution to all councilmembers and the lead staff of the government accountability and oversight committee, detailing how King County would respond to natural and human-made disasters and emergencies affecting domestic animals, including, but not limited to, disasters that directly affect animals in King County shelters. The county executive shall first seek advice and assistance from response experts including, but not limited to, the Pierce county Animal Response Team, the Washington state Animal Response Team, the Humane Society of Seattle/King County, the Humane Society of the United States, United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Society and Muttshack Animal Rescue to develop standards and protocols. The county executive shall use these standards and protocols to develop an implementation plan with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, all thirty-four contract cities, the city of Seattle, Snohomish county, Pierce county, Washington state Animal Response Team, the Humane Society of Seattle/King County, the American Red Cross, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Vashon Island Pet Protectors and the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association. The plan shall include, but not be limited to the following:
1. All key elements contained in the second edition of the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension's DANR Guide to Disaster Preparedness;
2. Establish roles, responsibilities and chains of command for King County staff and partner organizations;
3. Identify specific King County staff assigned to various roles and responsibilities;
4. Integration into broader plans addressing natural and human-made disasters and emergencies as coordinated by the King County office of emergency management;
5. Identify all key local resources, both public and private, that can be utilized to assist with transportation, sheltering and rescue;
6. Outline a training and implementation plan for King County staff; and
7. Enter into memorandums of understanding with organizations identified as emergency shelter locations.
B. The county executive is further requested to file with the clerk of the council by October 1, 2009, twelve copies of a preliminary animal care and control disaster and emergency response plan, for distribution to all councilmembers and the lead staff of the government accountability and oversight committee, outlining a thorough emergency response should the King County animal care and control shelters be affected by severe flooding related to the Green river.
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