Even as the California fires were beginning to rage out of control, Sebastian Heath, VetMB, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVPM, senior staff veterinarian for USDA-APHIS, Emergency Programs, was discussing the consequences of animals in disaster situations to an audience at the University of Kentucky.

Rural hazards range from natural disasters to epidemics (such as the foot and mouth disease that hit the United Kingdom). He said livestock, horse, and allied industries are the most likely to suffer in a disaster located in a rural setting. This will have national effects since agriculture supports one in eight jobs in the United States