Your pets are your responsibility. It is up to you to prepare for their safety and welfare in the event of an emergency.
If pets are part of your household then, it is important to include your pets in your emergency planning.
Pet and Animal Plan
When developing your pet emergency plan it is important to consider the following:
- Animals will require a constant source of water and food, shade and safe place shelter
- If you need to move your pets to a safer place, think about where and how you will relocate them
- Animals are not allowed in relocation centres, except guide dogs
- Remember to act safe and not risk human life
Prepare checklist
- Prepare a pet emergency kit
- Check with your local council regarding animal welfare plans during emergencies
- Update your animals’ microchip details
- Ensure vaccinations are all up to date
- Ensure your pets’ council registrations are current
- Ensure your pets have adequate identification
- Have current photos of your domestic animals to assist in easily identifying you as the legal owner
- Include the following phone numbers in your emergency plan:
- Your veterinarian
- Local animal welfare agency for example the RSPCA
- Help number for injured and trapped wildlife, ranger and animal rescue services
Tips for relocating pets
- Use a secure pet carrier, cage or leash to move pets to safety
- Leave early to avoid unnecessary risks
Tips for having to leave pets at home
- Secure pets inside before an emergency so they don’t take flight or run away
- If you need to leave your pets behind, leave them indoors if possible
- If animals are left outside do not tie them up
- Make sure boundary gates are kept closed to a void animals running on to roads
- Place animals in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows
- Provide plenty of food and water in large heavy bowls, a slow dripping tap can supply a constant source of water
- Ensure pets have adequate identification
- Take a photograph of your pet and identification papers when you leave
Pet Emergency Kit
As a pet owner the best thing you can do is to be prepared.
This allows you to make informed decisions to protect your pets during emergencies or natural disasters.
Having a pet emergency kit prepares your pets for relocation at short notice.
Like your household emergency kit, it is important to keep your kit in a handy place and make sure everyone knows where it is.
Pet emergency kit checklist:
- Registration or licence papers
- Pet medications, medical and vaccination records, and veterinarian contact details
- Sufficient food and water for each animal for up to two weeks period, bring a canopener for tinned food
- Plastic bowls for food and water
- A familiar pet blanket or bedding, toys and grooming equipment
- A secure pet carriercover, cage, leash and or harness to transport and keep animals safe
- If you are a bird owner place special food and water dispensers in bird cages and have a cover for the cage
- Consider your animal’s sanitation requirements and include rubbish bags, kitty litter and dog litter disposal bags
- Include recent photos of your pet for identification
- Include gloves, disinfectant and paper towels for your own hygiene
