My town's Office of Emergency has acquired a large trailer (towable). It has an air conditioner. We would like to turn it into a portable shelter that can be set up outside a designated shelter so that the displaced people can remain with their animals. I am looking for help, information, ideas to consider as we move forward in designing this resource. Size of spaces, where to locate the different animals in relation to each other, and any other considerations that need to be taken into account.

American Humane Association has a rescue rig you can check out at www.americanhumane.org. They bought a second hand racing team semi trailer and converted it into rollong vet clinic, repair center, equipment storage, sleeping space, and command center. They might have some suggestions. Also Animal Control Equipment Service (ACES) does truck and trailer conversions. www.animal-care.com. I suspect having them do it would be quite expensive, but maybe you could ask for pictures of conversions they have done to show to your Emergency Management directors. This could give you some idea of where you're going with this project.

Hi,

What size is the trailer? We too are looking this as a possible alternative to sheltering if there is no other means to do so. I thought that having a fold down shelf along the sides would allow you to stack crates without having them sitting on each other. If it's large enough you could seperate it into a dog area and a cat area as well a possible command centre where you store your gear, as well would operated the shelter from. It would give who ever is looking after the shelter an area to do paper work from and would insure an onsite presence which would enhance security of the animals, so having it in the forward section might be a consideration.

It could also be used as a work surface when the trailer wasn't being used as a mini shelter. One other option I'm exploring is an agreement with a trucking company that would see them deliver a shipping container or 40' semi trailer. these aren't air conditioned but that could be addressed by portable air conditioning units. Or in our case heating when needed.