Get Ready: Protect Your Pet

It is important to consider what will happen to your pet in the event of a disaster. This means thinking about what plans you can put in place now to make sure your pet is cared for if you were unable to get home, or what you would do with your pet if you had to evacuate.

Include Pets in your Emergency Plans

Pet Emergency Information Fact Sheet(PDF, 2MB)

• How will you transport your animals?
• Do your pets have collars with up-to-date contact information,or another means of identification?
• Do you have a safe place to take your pet in case of evacuation?
• Will a friend or neighbour collect or care for your pet in the event you are not home during an emergency?
• Is your pet microchipped and registered with Council?
• Have you considered your pet in your emergency and evacuation kits? Council's emergency guide contains a handy checklist of items, including:
  • Food and water for at least five days
  • Medications
  • ID and other important documentation
  • Collars, leashes and carry boxes
  • Bedding
  • Sanitation products
  • Comforting toys

If you cannot take your pets with you in an emergency, make sure that they are left indoors where possible, in separate small rooms, and with plenty of food and water. Animals kept outside, such as birds or pocket pets, should have suitable shelter for their enclosures.

RSPCA South Australia's video below outlines the key steps in considering your pets during disaster planning.

Livestock

As part of their Rural Disaster Recovery Toolkit, the Queensland Government offers a range of advice and information for livestock farms that are affected by natural disasters. Click here to find out more.

Wildlife

Call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) to report any sick or injured animals in need of assistance.

• If you come across any sick or injured wildlife. If it is safe you can collect them and take them to your closest vet or call 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) 24/7 RSPCA Animal Emergency Hotline.
• Leave water containers out for wildlife and pack a pillowcase, box and towels in your car when travelling.
• For any animals that you find on the side of the road, many wildlife care organisations recommend checking the pouches of female mammals for joeys, but only if it is safe to do so:
  • Check that the animal is deceased
  • Carefully check the pouch for a joey
  • If no joey is found, check the surrounding area for young that may have been thrown from the pouch on impact
  • If a joey is found, contact the RSPCA or a local wildlife rescue organisation for next steps