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Australian Dog Lover
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With pets displaced and their homes and families affected, it is important animals are safely integrated back into their homes and monitored closely.
Simone Clarke, Executive Director at World Animal Protection said:
“It’s crucial to have a disaster plan for your pets in case of a flood, and it’s equally important to ensure the effects of a flood do not impact their health in the months after,” she said.
“Debris and contaminated water sources can pose serious threats to our pets and taking necessary safety measures before your pet is moved back onto your property will ensure they’re looked after.”
World Animal Protection’s top tips for protecting pets immediately after a disaster are:
1. Clean water sources. Be aware that if you have any dams or ponds that your pets drink from that they might be contaminated. Try to avoid them drinking from these and monitor them closely.
2. Clear hazards on your property. Assess your property for debris, dead animals or any other hazards before moving your pets back in. Contact your local council if you are unsure about or unable to remove any hazards you identify.
3. Create a calm environment. Favourite toys and blankets can help reduce stress following a flood if your family experienced distressing events such as evacuation. Also, avoid loud noises from machinery.
4. Monitor your pets. Continue to monitor your pets for any injuries they may have sustained. Even better, organise a check-up at the vet.
World Animal Protection’s top tips for protecting pets in the months following a disaster are:
5. Re-stock your disaster planning kit. This includes topping up your first aid kit, as well as re-stocking emergency food and sanitation supplies that may have been used. If you don’t already have one, visit protectyourpet.org.au to get your free disaster pack and start planning for your pet today.
6. Review and improve your disaster plan.
If you experienced an evacuation or similar, review anything that could be improved in this process and practice it.
7. Update your pet’s ID. If you’ve changed address following the disaster, update their microchip and name tags. This also includes if their name tags are damaged.
8. Build an Animal Ready Community. NSW State Emergency Service has resources to help communities in come together to promote animal preparedness in emergencies, applicable to any state or territory. Communities like the Blue Mountains (NSW) already have an active ‘Animal Ready Community’ Facebook group sharing resources.
There are an estimated 25 million pets in Australia, or roughly 9.2 million households with a pet.
Australia is particularly prone to disasters - over a 30-year period there were 265 disasters around the country - and previous disasters have shown that animals must be accounted for in disaster plans to make sure people are safe.
Visit protectyourpet.org.au to start planning for your pet today.
About World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is an evidence-based global animal welfare organisation that has moved the world to protect animals for more than 50 years.
In its work to provide animals a better life the organisation’s activities include; working with national and international companies to ensure high standards of welfare for the animals in their care, working with governments and other stakeholders to prevent wild animals being cruelly traded, trapped or killed; and saving the lives of animals and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them in disaster situations. World Animal Protection influences decision-makers to put animals on the global agenda and inspires people to change animal lives for the better.
7. Update your pet’s ID. If you’ve changed address following the disaster, update their microchip and name tags. This also includes if their name tags are damaged.
8. Build an Animal Ready Community. NSW State Emergency Service has resources to help communities in come together to promote animal preparedness in emergencies, applicable to any state or territory. Communities like the Blue Mountains (NSW) already have an active ‘Animal Ready Community’ Facebook group sharing resources.
There are an estimated 25 million pets in Australia, or roughly 9.2 million households with a pet.
Australia is particularly prone to disasters - over a 30-year period there were 265 disasters around the country - and previous disasters have shown that animals must be accounted for in disaster plans to make sure people are safe.
Visit protectyourpet.org.au to start planning for your pet today.
About World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is an evidence-based global animal welfare organisation that has moved the world to protect animals for more than 50 years.
In its work to provide animals a better life the organisation’s activities include; working with national and international companies to ensure high standards of welfare for the animals in their care, working with governments and other stakeholders to prevent wild animals being cruelly traded, trapped or killed; and saving the lives of animals and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them in disaster situations. World Animal Protection influences decision-makers to put animals on the global agenda and inspires people to change animal lives for the better.
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