Disaster Management Plans

Emergency planning for pets is an important part of emergency household preparations. Planning ahead is critical and greatly increases the likelihood of evacuating your pets to safety.

Unfortunately, pet owners often have no choice but to leave their pets behind because they have not considered them in their evacuation plan. That’s why it’s important to take the time to prepare now to ensure the safety of your family and your pets.

• Ensure your pets are microchipped and registered with your local council.
• Ensure your pets wear collars and tags at all times.
  • Tags should include the animal’s name, owner’s name and up-to-date phone numbers.
• Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.
  • Familiarise your pets with these boxes and leads in advance.
• Include a secondary contact number on your pet’s ID tag or microchip record.
• Prepare an emergency pet supply kit using the information below.
• In addition to having a pet emergency kit, owners should have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting their own animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.

• Blankets, bedding or nesting material
• Cages, horse floats or trucks, pet carriers, vans
• Collars, harnesses, leads, saddles, etc.
• Food, water and bowls
• Litter and litter trays for cats
• Medications
• Photographs of your pets in zip lock bags
• Poo bags
• Registration papers
• Toys
• Vaccination certificates