Caring for Animals in Disasters

Preparing your Animals for an Emergency

Our animals are such important and loved members of our family and when emergencies like disasters occur, you want to keep them safe.

The best process for keeping your animals safe and well during emergencies is to have a well-made plan and prepare in advance.

Your plan needs to consider all likely natural disasters for your area including storms, floods, bushfires and heatwaves and it’s also important to consider how those different events might affect your pet’s health and safety, your evacuation routes and end destinations.

Step #1 - Animal Emergency Plan

Step #2 - Animal Emergency Kit

Your animals and their wellbeing are your responsibility.

Caring for Animals in Disasters - Overview

BE PREPARED

Include your animals in household emergency plans
Properly identify your pets (eg. name tags, microchip, or band)
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on display
Be aware that some evacuation centres may not accept animals so plan alternatives accordingly

ACT EARLY

If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk
Ensure there is access to plenty of food and water
If staying at home, secure animals in good time so that they do not take flight

BE CONSIDERATE

If you have to leave pets behind:

If possible, leave pets indoors
Place pets in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (eg. laundry, bathroom)
Provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls
If left outside, do not tie them up

ACT SAFE