Bushfires and House Fires

It’s easy to feel helpless when trying to assist native wildlife animals during floods or fires, but there are many steps you can take – both in your backyard and local community – to support wildlife animals during emergency situations.  

Legally, civilians and volunteers are unable to enter active bushfire zones, but organisations like RSPCA NSW and the Animal Welfare League (AWL) possess the training and equipment required to enter these zones during an active emergency. If you find an injured native animal, please contact us on 1300 278 3589 so we can try to help this animal. Alternatively, you can also contact NSW State Emergency Services, the AWL, the closest police station, or your nearest wildlife rescue organisation. 

You can also make a difference for native animals outside of emergency events by creating safe and thriving ecosystems for wildlife to enjoy.  

• Provide Fresh Water – A bird bath can be a great addition to your backyard. Ensure the water is changed regularly to prevent contamination and algae growth. Otherwise, you can also leave out shallow bowls of fresh water to keep wildlife animals hydrated. Scatter the bowls in different locations including high up off the ground. On hot days, you could also turn on your sprinklers to give local animals a chance to cool down. This can provide essential relief and help them regulate their body temperature.  
• Create Shade and Shelter – By setting up shaded areas trees, plants, or structures like bird houses and nesting boxes, you can provide wildlife animals with refuge from high temperatures and inclement weather.  
• Providing Food – RSPCA NSW does not recommend giving food to wildlife animals. Feeding wildlife can cause harm by contributing to nutritional imbalances, digestive issues, and/or dependency on humans. It can also contribute to the spread of disease, catalyse behavioural changes, and cause disruption and imbalance within surrounding ecosystems. If you are concerned about the welfare of a particular native animal, please contact a local wildlife group like WIRES or Sydney Wildlife Rescue. Please note that, during bushfires and drought, local authorities and wildlife groups will be working to provide help to native animals, meaning you can focus on feeding your pets and getting your own animals to safety.  
• Plant Native Plants – Identify wildlife species in your area to understand their food preferences. Use your research as a guide to cultivate specific native plants that can provide them with both food and natural shelter. Plants that attract pollinators, such as bees, are also an excellent choice, as they will help support a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Avoid using pesticides as many contain chemicals that can be harmful or repellent to wildlife. Instead, invest some time in researching natural pest control methods, as even garden variety plants can deter specific pests. As an example, sage can attract bees while repelling many insect pests.  
• Keep Cats Indoors – Not only does keeping cats safe at home safeguard them from cats and getting lost, but it also protects local wildlife animals from being hunted by your feline friend. By providing enrichment toys and activities to keep them occupied indoors, you can reduce your cat’s desire to roam, allowing them to safely watch wildlife animals from the comfort of your home. Through our Keeping Cats Safe at Home program, we share tips on indoor enrichment for cat lovers hoping to keep their feline friends indoors. By implementing these tips, you can keep both your feline friend and wildlife animals healthy and safe.