Our Hospital's History

     Originally known as Strain Veterinary Clinic, the practice was established in 1983 when Dr. Mike Strain graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. He was joined in 1984 by his wife, Dr. Susan Searcy Strain. They maintained a mixed animal practice until Dr. Mike went into politics, serving first as a state representative for 8 years and now as the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry. 

     Today there are three full time practicing veterinarians as well as a dedicated support staff serving the clients and their pets at Claiborne Hill Veterinary Hospital.  
     Our full service hospital continues to strive to provide the highest quality of care for our patients, offering our clients a personalized customer experience while ensuring a safe and positive workplace for our veterinary team.

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​Plan to Evacuate
Many kinds of emergencies can cause you to have to evacuate. In some cases, you may have a day or two to prepare while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances.
Before an Evacuation

• Learn the types of disasters that are likely in your community and the local emergency, evacuation and shelter plans for each specific disaster.
• Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
• Check with local officials about what shelter spaces are available for this year.  Coronavirus may have altered your community’s plans.
• If you evacuate to a community shelter, follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and your family from possible coronavirus: people over 2-years-old should use a cloth facial covering while at these facilities.
  • Be prepared to take cleaning items with you like masks, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet of space between you and people who aren’t in your immediate family.
• Identify several places you could go in an emergency such as a friend’s home in another town or a motel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency.
• If needed, identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most public shelters allow only service animals.
• Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
• Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of disaster.
• Come up with a family/household plan to stay in touch in case you become separated; have a meeting place and update it depending on the circumstance.
• Assemble supplies that are ready for evacuation. Prepare a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling longer distances if you have a car. 
• If you have a car:
  • Keep a full tank of gas if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
  • Make sure you have a portable emergency kit in the car.
• If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if needed. Decide with family, friends or your local emergency management office to see what resources may be available.

During an Evacuation

• Download the FEMA app for a list of open shelters during an active disaster in your local area.
• Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
• Take your emergency supply kit.
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Take your pets with you but understand that only service animals may be allowed in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.
• If time allows:
  • Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
  • Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
  • Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts, they may be blocked.
• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.

After an Evacuation
If you evacuated for the storm, check with local officials both where you’re staying and back home before you travel.

• If you are returning to disaster-affected areas, after significant events prepare for disruptions to daily activities and remember that returning home before storm debris is cleared is dangerous.
• Let friends and family know before you leave and when you arrive.
• Charge devices and consider getting back-up batteries in case power-outages continue.
• Fill up your gas tank and consider downloading a fuel app to check for outages along your route.
• Bring supplies such as water and non-perishable food for the car ride.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines, they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
• Only use generators outside and away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage or connect it to your home's electrical system.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU FOR YOUR PET

1. Always keep pets leashed or kenneled when not inside.
2. Identification of some kind is important in case you and your pet become separated as well as to prevent mix-ups. Recommended forms of identification include microchip, collared tags and tattoo. Photographs are a supplemental form of identification as well.
3. Bring medical records and proof of vaccinations, especially rabies, for dogs and cats.
4. Food and water – bring at least a three-day supply and consider bringing more if on a special prescription diet; remember to also bring food and water bowls and a manual can opener if needed.
5. Medications – bring all your pet’s medications with you and consult your veterinarian if a sedative or nausea medication is needed for traveling.
6. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and its non-governmental partners work year around to support local response to disasters. Animal shelters may be available through your Parish evacuation plan; contact your local Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The location of your evacuation destination may or may not accept pets, so call ahead and check. All hazards disaster preparedness information is available at ldaf.state.la.us

Special Considerations
Dogs:       1. Be prepared to clean up the stool and other product wastes of your pet
              2. Females in heat will need to be strictly confined and watched
              3. Consider bringing a muzzle if your dog is not used to traveling or being around
     strangers.
Cats:  1. Remember to bring a litter pan and litter as well as something in which to dispose of
    the used litter
          2. If your cat is positive for feline leukemia, feline “aids”, or other contagious disease,
     make sure that they are kept in an isolated area.
Exotic pets:   Be FULLY prepared to provide for these pets as you evacuate. This may mean bringing an extension cord to keep a heat source working.

https://api.pethealthnetworkpro.com/v1/practices/8881be55-c71b-ba5c-872d-2e1015c4ec53/survey-responses

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Claiborne Hill Veterinary Hospital