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Protecting Pets and Livestock from Volcanic Ash
<!doctype html> <html class="js" lang="en"> <head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-28C1HJZZ1T"></script> <script> if(location.hostname == "dec.alaska.gov"){ window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag() { dataLayer.push(arguments); } gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-28C1HJZZ1T'); } function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en'}, 'google_translate_element'); } </script> <script src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <title>Protecting Pets and Livestock from Volcanic Ash</title> <meta name="description" content="Tips for protecting pets and livestock from volcanic ash."> <meta name="author" content="ADEC Office of the State Veterinarian"> <meta name="revised" content="3/21/2025 2:27:42 PM"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="6mspEeSKVcsEN__8djwu4DeGC_igJgKVxXhc74_LcYw" /> <meta property="og:image" content="//dec.alaska.gov/media/25444/dec-square-logo.png" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="//webcontent.alaska.gov/style/soa/20170315/alaskaGov.min.css?v=1.0.5"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/local.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/template.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/menu.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/css/print.css"> </head> <body class=""> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to content</a> <!-- Global Header --> <nav class="global-nav-menu" aria-label="statewide"> <div class="inline-div"> <ul id="menu-statewide-navigation"> <li><a href="http://alaska.gov/">State of Alaska</a></li> <li class="native-greeting"> <a href="https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/AKNativeLanguagePreservationAdvisoryCouncil/Languages.aspx">Paġlagivsi!</a> <audio id="inupiaq" src="https://webcontent.alaska.gov/style/soa/20180912/greetingAssets/paglagivsi-inupiaq.mp3" preload="auto"></audio> <button class="pronunciation" type="button" onclick="document.getElementById('inupiaq').play();"><span>Hear the translation</span></button> <span class="language">(Iñupiaq)</span> <span class="translation">"We welcome you!"</span> </li> <li><a href="https://my.alaska.gov/" class="left-margin">myAlaska</a></li> <li><a href="http://alaska.gov/akdir1.html">Departments</a></li> <li><a href="http://alaska.gov/employeeHome.html">State Employees</a></li> <li><a href="#SOAfooterlinks">Statewide Links</a></li> </ul> </div><!-- close inline-div --> </nav><!-- close global-nav-menu --> <div class="site-container"> <!-- Agency Header --> <header class="site-header"> <div class="wrap"> <!-- Agency Logo and Title --> <div class="title-area"> <a class="site-title-link" href="//dec.alaska.gov/"> <div class="site-logo"> <img src="/media/1029/dec-logo.png" alt="Department of Environmental Conservation" title="Link to DEC homepage" height="69" width="69"> </div> </a> <div class="umb-block-list"> <h1> <a href="/eh/" title="Link to Division of Environmental Health homepage"><span class="site-title">Division of Environmental Health</span></a> <a href="/eh/vet/" title="Link to Office of the State Veterinarian homepage"><span class="site-description">Office of the State Veterinarian</span></a> </h1> </div> </div> <div id="search_icon_placeholder"> </div> <!-- Search Form --> <div id="search-form"> <script async src="https://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=016629259767872399745:k960dr43-7e"> </script> <script> window.onload = function () { var searchBox = document.getElementById("gsc-i-id1"); 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During volcanic activity, it is essential to take proactive steps to minimize exposure and protect animals from harm.</p> <h2>During and After an Ashfall</h2> <p>During ashfall or when there is ash on the ground, steps should be taken to minimize an animal鈥檚 contact with ash. Keep animals, both pets and livestock, indoors as much as possible, and keep doors and windows closed. Other things to consider:</p> <ul> <li>Cover hay and feed to limit ash contamination.</li> <li>Ensure clean drinking water.</li> <li>Minimize time spent outside. If pets must go outside, keep them on a leash so you can bring them inside quickly, and limit exposure. If pets are used to them, consider the use of dog coats and booties to minimize ash contamination. Brush them off before coming back inside. Use eye protection for those with concurrent eye diseases.</li> <li>If animals become contaminated with ash:</li> <ul> <li>Brush off excess ash outside under shelter. Wipe off fur with a damp cloth, rinse or bathe, as needed, when inside.</li> <li>Check eyes for irritation; gently rinse with clean water or saline, if needed.</li> <li>Contact your veterinarian for further advice, if there are concerns.</li> <li>Place contaminated waste and ash in sealed plastic bags.</li> </ul> </ul> <h2>Health and Emergency Care</h2> <ul> <li>Be particularly cautious with pets and livestock that have underlying skin, eye, and respiratory diseases. Consult your veterinarian for extra precautions you may be able to take.</li> <li>If animals develop any skin or eye problems, contact your veterinarian.</li> <li>Watch for signs of breathing difficulty. If symptoms appear, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.</li> </ul> <h2>General Preparedness</h2> <p>Prepare for a possible evacuation. Although it is unlikely an evacuation will be needed in this case, these are general preparedness steps appropriate for any situation in which you need to leave your home unexpectedly. Evacuating with animals takes time and planning.</p> <ul> <li>Ensure you have suitable transportation available and ready for all animals.</li> <li>Pets should be accustomed to being in a crate while transported. Do not allow pets to roam freely inside vehicles during transport.</li> <li>Be sure your pets have identification on them. Microchipping is ideal.</li> <li>Have ample amounts of food and needed medications ready.</li> <li>Confirm alternative pet-friendly accommodations (e.g., with family or pet-friendly hotels).</li> <li>Subscribe to local warning systems and monitor the news for timely updates.</li> <li>Have contact information available for your veterinarian, as well as emergency veterinary hospitals.</li> </ul> <h2>Resources</h2> <h3>General emergency preparedness:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="//www.ready.gov/pets" title="Prepare Your Pets for Disasters">Prepare Your Pets for Disasters (Ready.gov)</a></li> <li><a href="//www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/emergency-preparedness/index.html" title="Be Prepared: Pet Safety in Emergencies">Be Prepared: Pet Safety in Emergencies (CDC)</a></li> </ul> <h3>Volcanic ash safety for pets and livestock:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="//www.cdc.gov/volcanoes/safety/index.html" title="Prepare Your Pets for Disasters">Preparing for a Volcanic Eruption (CDC)</a></li> <li><a href="//volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/agriculture.html" title="Volcanic Ashfall Impacts & Mitigation - Plants & Animals">Volcanic Ashfall Impacts & Mitigation: Agriculture - Plants & Animals (USGS)</a></li> <li><a href="//ready.alaska.gov/Documents/PIO/PressReleases/2025.03.10_Ash Alert How to protect your family, home, and business.pdf" title="Ash Alert! How to protect your family, home, and business">Ash Alert! How to Protect Your Family, Home, and Business (Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)</a></li> </ul> </div> <p class="small-text big-top-margin no-bottom-margin extLinkIndicator hide hide-in-print"> <img src="/media/17414/external-link-indicator.gif" alt="external link indicator" /> Indicates an external site. </p> </main> </div><!-- close site-inner --> <!-- Agency Footer --> <section class="footer-block footer" aria-label="agency"> <div class="wrap"> <div class="footer-block-1 block-content-area"> <section class="block"> <div class="wrap"> <p class="text-size-reset normal-font-style"> <i>Last Updated: 3/20/2025</i><br> <a href="/commish/public-notices/">Public Notices</a> • <a href="/commish/regulations/">Regulations</a> • <a href="/commish/regulations/statutes/">Statutes</a><br> <a href="/newsroom/">Newsroom</a> • <a href="/contact/">Contact</a> • <a href="/accessibility/">Accessibility</a><br> <a href="/nondiscrimination/">Nondiscrimination</a> • <a id="login" onclick="openWindow()" href="#login">Login</a> </p> </div><!-- close wrap --> </section> <section class="social-media-icons"> <div class="wrap"> <ul class="no-left-margin"> <li class="social-facebook"> <a href="//www.facebook.com/AlaskaDEC" target="_blank" title="Follow the DEC on Facebook"><span class="hide">Facebook</span> <span class="fa-brands fa-facebook-f"></span></a> </li> <li class="social-twitter"> <a href="//x.com/AlaskaDEC" target="_blank" title="Follow the DEC on X"><span class="hide">X</span> <span class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></span></a> </li> <li class="social-linkedin"> <a href="//www.linkedin.com/company/alaska-department-of-environmental-conservation/" title="Follow the DEC on LinkedIn"><span class="hide">LinkedIn</span> <span class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></span></a> </li> <li class="social-vimeo"> <a href="//vimeo.com/alaskaDEC" target="_blank" title="Follow the DEC on Vimeo"><span class="hide">Vimeo</span> <span class="fa-brands fa-vimeo-v"></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="footer-block-2 block-content-area"> <section> <div class="wrap"> <p> </p> </div> </section> </div> <div class="footer-block-3 block-content-area"> <section class="block"> <div class="wrap"> <p class="smaller-bottom-margin"><b>Department of Environmental Conservation</b></p> <p class="no-bottom-margin"> <b>Mailing Address:</b> P.O. 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