Disaster preparedness of licensed private veterinary practitioners in Mississippi

This study’s purpose was to describe the disaster preparedness of licensed private veterinary practitioners in Mississippi. A mail survey was distributed assessing disaster training, response plans, and disaster-related organization knowledge. Individuals who have experienced a disaster are more likely to have a personal plan, a clinic plan, or both than those who have not. County residence along the Mississippi Gulf Coast showed 3.62 times likelihood of having a personal plan and 3.09 times likelihood of having a clinic plan than those in other districts. Many veterinarians failed to identify their local emergency management agency as their point of contact in a disaster situation, and few indicated having disaster education materials for their clients. Twenty percent of respondents indicated having obtained formal disaster training. More than two-thirds of respondents were interested in disaster training