Pet Emergency Planning

• Identify multiple ways to stay informed.
• Create an emergency kit. Include supplies that your pet may need.
• Be sure your pet has a collar with tags.
• Microchip your pet.
• Obtain a rescue alert sticker.
• Make sure you have the equipment to transport pets (leash, crate, etc.)
• Create a backup plan in case you are away when the emergency happens.
• Identify a safe place for you and your pet to go if evacuation is necessary.

• Stay informed via UA Alerts
• Pets with their owners can shelter on campus in the Magnolia Parking Deck BARA. Refer to the Sheltering with pets on campus section below for rules about sheltering with pets on campus.
• Ensure you have enough time to safely travel to a shelter and unload you pet and supplies.
• If you can't go to a shelter, take your pets into your home's identified safe place with you. Avoid sheltering in automobiles.
• If you have to evacuate, do your best to not leave pets behind. Evacuate early.
• Take precautions to keep you and your pet healthy during an emergency.

• Check for debris/materials that could be harmful to your pet.
• Notify your veterinarian if your pet shows signs of illness or heightened stress/discomfort.
• If your pet is lost, contact your veterinarian, animal shelters, animal control, and microchip company.

The Magnolia Deck Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) is designated as the on-campus shelter for students and employees who choose to shelter with a pet during a tornado watch/warning. If space is available, the pet may shelter with its owner under the following conditions:

• Animals should be vaccinated as appropriate.
• For safety reasons, those persons violating these rules may be asked to leave.
• All service dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcomed in all campus shelters.
• If the owner is unable because of a disability to use a muzzle, harness, leash, or other tether for his/her service dog, or if the use of a muzzle, harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the service dog’s performance of work or tasks, then the service dog must be otherwise under the owner’s control (e.g., voice commands, signals, or other effective means).
• Pet owners must be present with their animal.
• Pets must be under the complete control of the owner at all times.
• Only domestic animals are permitted.
• Animals over 140lbs are not permitted.
• Reptiles, fish and insects are not permitted.
• Dogs should be in a crate or leashed and muzzled. All other animals must be in a crate.
• Animals will be excluded from the shelter if they exhibit dangerous or disruptive behavior, or are otherwise believed to present a hazard.
• Pet owners should bring a bowl for water.
• Pet owners must clean up after their pet.

For safety reasons, those persons violating these rules may be asked to leave.

All service dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcomed in all campus shelters. If the owner is unable because of a disability to use a muzzle, harness, leash, or other tether for his/her service dog, or if the use of a muzzle, harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the service dog’s performance of work or tasks, then the service dog must be otherwise under the owner’s control (e.g., voice commands, signals, or other effective means).

The purpose of this policy is to set forth general animal control guidelines and owner responsibilities for animals on campus and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws so that individuals with disabilities on the University of Alabama campus who require the use of Service or Support Animals as a reasonable accommodation receive the benefit of the work or tasks performed by such animals or the therapeutic support they provide.

Before traveling to one of the storm shelters listed below, make sure the shelters are open by visiting the Tuscaloosa County EMA's website.

• McDonald Hughes Center – 3101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
• Carroll's Creek Volunteer Fire Department Shelter – 11580 Lary Lake Rd., Northport, AL 35475
• Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire Department Shelter – 16040 Yellow Creek Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

• Metro Animal Shelter
• Humane Society of West Alabama