164 | Disasters and Animals emergency, the existing local authorities, such as police and fire departments, can take action and meet the immediate needs created by the event In contrast, a disaster overwhelms local resources and often makes it difficult for outside help to arrive A request for assistance activates a network of government and nonprofit agencies at the federal, state, and regional levels The response to a disaster that affects animals will usually begin within the local framework and involve animal control departments, animal shelters, veterinary associations, and livestock organizations Local animal control and law enforcement agencies often seek the help of national nonprofit animal welfare groups that have disaster response programs, such as the American Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States In most events, large numbers of volunteers donate time and money Depending on the type of incident and the numbers and species of animals affected, various government agencies may assist with the response In a largescale incident within the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency might activate Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams to assist when a disaster compromises an area’s veterinary infrastructure The Department of Agriculture and the Fish and Wildlife Service each have many branches that play roles when animals are involved The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Urban Search and Rescue, could also participate At the state levels, offices of emergency management and departments of agriculture and wildlife can enter the picture However, state and federal agencies get involved only after requests from the local level In disasters, animal issues are associated with matters of public safety, the human-animal bond, public health, the economy, and ethical and moral issues Public Safety People will risk their lives to protect their pets, horses, and livestock They will consequently jeopardize the lives of others by refusing to evacuate or by reentering evacuated areas A common reason for evacuation failure (along with fear of looting) is the inability or unwillingness to evacuate animals When people remain in unsafe buildings or reenter them to rescue pets, emergency responders often have to rescue them, using time and resources that are always in short supply during a disaster This public safety risk is not limited to pet and horse owners, but occurs with those who own and work with livestock as well Numerous issues surround the evacuation of animals, including property rights, contamination, evidence preservation, and infrastructural hazards In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, rescuers entered many properties without permission to rescue stranded pets Some homeowners objected to what they saw as breaking-and-entering Moreover, rescuers encountered sewage, oil, gas leaks, and other chemical hazards because of their efforts to save stranded pets, who were also contaminated After a disaster, the scene must be maintained for insurance documentation When people enter damaged areas, they can compromise the integrity of the evidence needed for insurance claims through their movement and by moving debris A dramatic example of the public safety risk when people reenter evacuated areas