Pets & Livestock

In the event of a natural disaster, it can be easy to forget about animals in your care. Here you will find useful tips for Pet Owners and tips for Livestock Owners

Pet Owners

Your animals are your responsibility. Plan ahead to be prepared. Better planning ensures better safety and improved welfare for your animals, avoiding unnecessary danger and anxiety.

• Prepare a disaster plan and kit for each pet
• For each pet, get a carrier that is large enough for them to stand and turn around
• Be sure your pet has current vaccinations
• In your home disaster plan, record contact phone numbers and addresses of your Vet, local animal welfare agencies and Council
• Be sure your pet has a current registration tag and consider another form of identification, such as a tattoo or implanted microchip
• Keep with you a current photograph of your pet, in case your pet is lost
• If you stay at home, prepare an easily cleaned room or bathroom or laundry for your pet, preferably with small or no windows
• Keep a good supply of newspapers for your pet's sanitary needs
• For each pet, have two weeks supply of medication, food and water
• Keep a leash handy at all times
• If you will be evacuating your pet, consider safe relocation options. For example investigate temporary animal shelters or safe refuge with family or friends.

Evacuating your Home without your Pet

• Evacuate early to avoid unnecessary risk to you and your animals
• Remember, public evacuation centres will not take your pets (Guide dogs excepted)
• Bring your pet indoors to the prepared safe area
• Leave approximately 3 days worth of pet food in sturdy containers accessible to your pet
• Birds must eat daily - put special food dispensers in their cage
• For pet drinking water, fill the bathtub or fill non-spillable containers. Disinfect the toilet bowl, flush well, and leave lid open.
• Be sure to leave ample water in hot conditions
• Allow your pet access to elevated areas/furniture in the event of flooding
• Consider leaving comfort items with your pet to reduce anxiety, for example their bed and toys.
• Never leave a cat with a dog in the same room, even if they get along
• Leave a note on the door warning of an animal in the room in the event Emergency Services enter your home

Evacuating with your Pet

• Carry birds, guinea pigs, mice etc in cages or pillowcases (tied firmly) or in secure boxes with small holes
• Put fish in a large wide-necked jar with a secure lid. Fill jar two-thirds with water. When travelling, regularly blow through a straw into the water to aerate it. Remove lid when stationary.
• Frogs need a small covered tub with 2.5cm of water in the bottom and airholes in the top.
• Snakes and lizards need to be put in a container with a secure lid and airholes, or sack/pillowcase.
• Don't leave animals in vehicles.
• Consider taking with you your pet's comfort items to reduce their anxiety, for example their bed and toys.
• Carry your pet's grooming items, leashes paper towels, rubbishs and disinfectant.
• Use pet carriers for dogs and cats. Be sure that they are large enough for your pet to stand up in, turn around and lie down.

After the threat has passed:

• Keep pets inside after a cyclone. If you take your pets outside, keep your dog on a lead and your cat in a carrier
• Check with relevant authorities regarding missing animals
• Take care when releasing animals, their environment may have been severely damaged and the animals may be very disoriented, frightened or aggressive

Tips For Livestock Owners

Your animals are your responsibility. Plan ahead to be prepared. Better planning ensures better safety and improved welfare for your animals, avoiding unnecessary danger and anxiety.

• Develop a written disaster plan, including a list of resources (suppliers, trucks & trailers), evacuation sites, emergency phone numbers and contacts of who can help during an emergency.
• Decide where to take animals if evacuation is necessary, for example high ground or under sturdy cover. Have several sites in mind, in case your first choice is unavailable.
• Identify food and water sources that do not rely on electricity, which could be lost during an emergency.
• Familiarise yourself with several evacuation routes to you destination. Avoid routes likely to be travelled heavily by people.
• Photograph and identify brands and tattoos and inventory by age, sex, weight, and breed. Identify in a written list, which animals (such as breeding stock) are of the highest priority or most valuable, in the event only some of them can be saved.
• Keep vaccinations and boosters up-to-date. Record the dates, dosages and types of medications and health products the animals have received. Record dosing instructions and dietary requirements. Keep this information with the Disaster Plan.
• Secure loose items around the farm.
• In extreme circumstances, the best option may be to cut fences or leave gates open so that stock can escape danger (and be collected later).
• Consider acquiring back up power generators and backup fuel supplies. (Particularly useful for poultry farmers to provide continuous air-conditioning for stock.)

Evacuation

• If possible, evacuate your livestock early to ensure their safety, protect your investment and ease your stress. Better safe than sorry!
• Avoid using public roads if possible.

After the threat has passed:

• Check fences: be sure they are intact. Check pasture and fences for sharp objects that could injure livestock.
• Beware of fallen powerlines.
• Check with relevant authorities regarding missing animals.
• Seek advice from Council or the Department of Primary Industry on the safe methods of animal disposal or burial.