Would You Leave Them Behind? Disaster Preparedness For Live Animals in Museum Collections
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Authors
Stokke, Michelle M.
Issue Date
2007
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
One purpose of this project is to bring attention to the large number of museums in the United States that do not have emergency plans. I focus specifically on institutions that are not zoos, but still contain living animals in their collections, permanent, temporary or teaching. Emergency preparedness in museums is very important, but not well financed or given appropriate priority in the museum profession. Furthermore, the welfare of animals in museum collections during an emergency disaster is an aspect of emergency planning that most museums have not paid the proper attention to.
My goal is to assure that all museums that have live animals are aware of the requirements and obligations that they have to those sentient creatures. I also provide information about how animals react in emergency disaster situations, so institutions know what to expect, and how to be prepared to protect the staff, visitors, general public and the animals.