What to do in case of emergency
Fast-reference staff SOP for the five kinds of on-site emergency and who to contact first for each.
Purpose
Before diving into the steps, a bit of context: this is the fast-reference SOP for the five kinds of emergency that come up on-site, general, human medical, fire, dog-related medical, and dog fight, and who to contact first for each one.
At a Glance
- Any emergency: call a manager or emergency services immediately. Manager unreachable? Go to the next person in charge.
- Human medical emergency: contain the situation, grab a first aid kit, contact a manager or senior staff member.
- Fire: follow the emergency evacuation plan to remove animals from the facility, contact a manager, call emergency services.
- Dog-related medical emergency: contact a manager, phone the nearest open veterinary service, prepare the dog for transport.
- Dog fight: call on the walkie talkies for help, remove uninvolved dogs, then safely separate the dogs fighting, using break boards, leashes, or physical restraint if needed.
Immediate Actions
General Emergency
Call a manager or emergency services immediately. If a manager can't be reached, contact the next person in charge rather than waiting.
Human Medical Emergency
Contain the situation, grab a first aid kit, and contact a manager or senior staff member.
Fire
Follow the emergency evacuation plan to remove animals from the facility, contact a manager, and call emergency services.
Dog-Related Medical Emergency
Contact a manager, phone the nearest open veterinary service, and prepare the dog for transport. For on-site first aid steps before transport, see Injuries and First-Aid.
Dog Fight
Call on the walkie talkies for additional assistance. Remove uninvolved dogs from the environment first, then attempt to swiftly and safely remove the dogs actually fighting. Break boards, leashes, and physical restraint may all be needed to do this safely.
Who to Ask
Start with a manager or emergency services directly. If a manager can't be reached, go to the next person in charge rather than sitting on the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the manager on duty doesn't pick up?
Don't wait on it. Contact the next person in charge instead, and still call emergency services directly if the situation calls for it.
How do I know if a dog needs a vet versus on-site first aid?
This SOP covers the "contact a manager, call the vet, prepare for transport" side of a dog medical emergency. For the specific injury types and which ones require a vet visit, see Injuries and First-Aid.
What if I'm the only staff member around when a dog fight breaks out?
Call for help on the walkie talkies first, don't try to handle it silently alone. Get uninvolved dogs clear of the area, then work to safely separate the dogs that are fighting, using a break board, leash, or physical restraint as needed.