It is here where I have proposed a first definition of this new and emerging field aspect of public and animal health. The principle goal of the animal care professions in the management of animals in disasters is to reduce the occurrence and impact of the common, local and personal disasters. In this context it is important to realize that individual animal owners have the greatest potential to avert harm to their animals in all scales of disasters. People who are unprepared and unable to take care of their own needs when disaster strikes will not be able to help others. Personal preparedness is, therefore, a responsibility that each of us has as care providers for animals.
Similar principles apply to preparedness at work.
To be able to provide animal care during a disaster, businesses must have business continuity plans. Business continuity plans include personal disaster preparedness and work place safety plans from common hazards in the work place, determine how to store and retrieve records, and ensure adequate insurance and financial security. If businesses cannot remain functional in common and local disasters, they will also not be functional in large scale disasters. Preparedness for common disasters that arise in animal care related businesses is the basis for functioning as critical animal care facilities in major disasters. The pinnacle of disaster preparedness is a disaster resistant community.