Pet Disaster Preparedness (is your pet emergency plan ready?)

Preparing to leave with your pet is an important part of your emergency plans. We share tips to follow to keep your pet safe during these times.

Have a plan

Emergencies can escalate quickly, leaving little time to react. It’s vital to have a well-prepared pet emergency plan that outlines what to do, what to take, and where to go if you need to evacuate. Delaying evacuation increases the risk to both you and your pets.

1. Prepare you pet

• Consider evacuation now: If there is a risk of evacuation, consider relocating your pet early. Ask a friend or family member if they can temporarily care for your pet until it’s safe to return home. This proactive step ensures peace of mind from the outset.
• Appropriately identified: Ensure your pet is properly identified by making sure their microchip details are up to date. Place a collar and tag on your pet and make sure the tag has your details and the details of a backup contact just in case they are unable to contact you. Phone lines can go down and mobiles run out of batter, so it is best to have a backup contact.
• Keep you pets confined: Pets can become frightened and may attempt to flee during stressful situations. Keeping them confined ensures they can be quickly located when it’s time to evacuate, saving precious moments.

2. Prepare your pet evacuation kit

A pet evacuation kit is all the critical items and information required for you to take care of your pet if you are temporarily displaced. Place all the following items in a large tub and have it in or near the car.

• Current photo: Take a current photo of your pet and any distinct markings so you can use them to post online to lost pet websites or send to the RSPCA and local vet clinics if you become separated from your pet.
• List of key phone numbers and locations: Have the phone numbers, locations and opening times of places to call or go to if you become separated from your pet, including:
  • Local council numbers for lost pets
  • Local pet shelters
  • RSPCA
  • Local vet clinics and after hours veterinary hospitals
• Pet registrations and vaccination certificates: If for some reason you may need to put your pet in a cattery or kennel they will require proof of vaccination.
• Transportation equipment
  • Leads and harnesses
  • Car harness
  • Cat or dog carriers (have this nearby so you don’t have to go searching for it)
• Food and water for at least one week
  • Water bowl and a couple of litres of water
  • Pet food that can be stored without refrigeration
• Current medications and pet first aid kit
  • All medications and preventatives in a small box, including information on how they need to be given and how often
  • Pet first aid kit – a specific first aid kit for pets that contains medications that are safe for pets
• Miscellaneous items
  • Toileting bags
  • Blankets
  • Toys

3. Prepare your evacuation plan and place of safety

• Veterinary assistance: Have the names, phone numbers, and locations of local and after hour vet clinics in your phone, marked on your map applications or on a sheet in your pet evacuation kit. If something happens and you need to get there quick it is important to know where you can go and how to get there.
• Accommodation: Have a planned site for accommodation for your pets, not all public shelters allow pets so it is best to have a backup plan. Have discussions with friends and family and confirm that if you have to evacuate you can go there immediately with your pets and they are ok to take care of your pets.

Being prepared and taking action quickly is your best bet at getting yourself and your loved pets out safely

What to do if you have found injured wildlife

Helpless wildlife are often caught in the midst of a natural disaster. If you have found injured or distressed wildlife in the event of a disaster, it is best to get the animal immediately to a vet for assistance. We are ready to take any wildlife found injured.

Organisations such as WIRES also provide emergency assistance for injured and rescued wildlife, and are trained and licenced animal carers. For more information on what to do if you have found injured wildlife, visit WIRES.

If your pet is ill or injured, visit your closest Animal Emergency Service hospital or your local vet immediately.