As a pet owner, your furry friends are more than just pets - they’re part of your family. in recent years, we have seen bushfires ravage through Australian bushland, it's essential to prepare an emergency evacuation plan that includes your pets. Don't wait until it's too late - follow our steps below to ensure you and your pets are ready to evacuate should an emergency threaten your home.
Include Your Pets in Your Emergency Plan
When creating your emergency plan, make sure to include your pets! Identify multiple pet-friendly evacuation points and nearby boarding facilities. Compile a list of phone numbers for evacuation centers and boarding facilities and contact them before you evacuate to ensure that you can bring your pets with you.
Prepare for Emergency Season
Australia's summer means that cyclones and bushfires impact much of the country. Before the warmer weather arrives, ensure that your pets have up-to-date ID tags and microchip details with your current contact information. Also, make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current as many boarding facilities require proof of vaccination.
Prepare to Leave
If an emergency occurs in your area, consider evacuating your pets to a friend, foster carer, or boarding facility away from the emergency before you are told to evacuate. This will lessen the amount you need to do when told to evacuate and reduce your worries. If you do not evacuate your pets in the early stages of an emergency, tie them up or bring them inside. Pack your emergency kit and other essential items in the car so you are ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Check your pets’ collar and ID tags to ensure they are secure, and take current photos for easy identification. Stay informed by watching the news or listening to your local radio station and be ready to leave if instructed to.
What to Pack in Your Pet Emergency Kit
Make sure to pack enough food and bottled water for up to 2 weeks. Bring food that does not require refrigeration and don’t forget bowls and a can opener if needed. Don't forget to pack enough of your pet's medication for up to 2 weeks and information about any medical conditions. Other essential items include a collar with ID tag, leash, harness or secure carrier, blankets, bedding, brushes, toys, kitty litter, and litter tray, and/or doggy poop bags. Pack these items in a waterproof bag and include your pet's microchip details, registration certificate, vaccination details, current photos, and any other important documents. Make sure to have contact details for your regular veterinarian, local shelters, and advisory services.
What to Do If You Can’t Take Your Pets
In some cases, it might not be possible to take your pets with you when you evacuate. However, you should not abandon your pets unless it is impossible to evacuate them. If instructed to evacuate immediately and leave your pets behind, do not tie them up or lock them in cages or paddocks. Leave a note on your front door with details of any pets left behind and your contact information. If you have time, leave enough food and water for up to a week.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead for an emergency saves time and lives. While we all hope that we will never be impacted by an emergency, it's essential to practice your evacuation procedures regularly to ensure that you and your pets are prepared. Remember, your pets are a part of your family, so be sure to include them in your emergency plan.
Summary
As pet owners in Australia face an ongoing threat of bushfires, it's crucial to prepare an emergency evacuation plan that includes pets. This plan should involve identifying pet-friendly evacuation points and nearby boarding facilities, updating pet identification details, and packing a pet emergency kit with essential items such as food, water, and medication. In cases where pets cannot be evacuated, owners should not abandon them but leave a note with contact details and enough food and water for up to a week. Planning ahead and practicing evacuation procedures regularly can save lives in an emergency.
