Remember to include pets in your disaster evacuation plan

The Daily Examiner, 19 November 2019: 

With 99 per cent of NSW officially in drought and 53 per cent, including the Clarence Valley, in high fire danger, residents getting ready to evacuate need to remember to include pets in their disaster plan. 

Bushfires, floods and tropical cyclones are an increasing reality around the country. 

World Animal Protection is encouraging people to be prepared by planning ahead – and have disaster packs for cats, dogs, horses, birds and small animals available to help. 

“Many people don’t have a disaster plan that includes their pets,” World Animal Protection director Simone Clarke said. 

“We know from looking at past disasters that people can make last-minute decisions to try to keep their pets safe, putting themselves in danger in the process. 

“Pets must be part of emergency planning, not just to protect them but to keep your family safe too.” 

World Animal Protection’s top disaster preparation tips are: 

Prepare a disaster survival kit for your pet with food, water, medicine, identification and a favourite toy for comfort. 

Put it in an easy-to-access spot and check it regularly to keep it up to date 

Identify a “safe house”, such as a friend’s house, pet-friendly motel or animal shelter where you can take your pet during a disaster 

Practise your plan so your pet is used to moving into their carrier. This will ensure you and your pet can move fast and stay calm in an emergency 

Display a rescue sticker on your doors and windows to alert emergency responders that there are pets in the home that need to be rescued. 

Put your pet’s name on the sticker so emergency personnel can call out to them Update your pet’s ID so that rescuers can contact you if they find your pet in an emergency. It’s best to get your pet microchipped so it’s easy to update contact information. 

Visit www.protectyourpet.org.au to plan for your pet.