For most of us our life at home with our pets is uneventful and peaceful but many Australian's live in bushfire zones and must be prepared to evacuate in an emergency.  Pet owners rarely leave without their pets.

In USA, State and local emergency plans must take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and the reluctance of owners to leave without their animals.  No such legislation exists in Australia.

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Pet owners need to take responsibility for evacuating their pets and a little forward  planning can not only help save pets’ lives but also may save human lives by making evacuation swifter.

Before the beginning of the fire season

1. Make sure your pet is microchipped and registered with  your local council (if required)

2.  Make sure the contact details on the microchip database and council register are current and that a contact number for someone outside your immediate area is on the list also.  If your area is evacuated then  your phone number, or that of your neighbour is not going to be of any use in reuniting you with your pet.
    
3. Ensure that vaccinations are current. Boarding kennels may not accept your pet, even in an emergency, without up to date vaccinations.

4. Speak to your local veterinarian, boarding establishments and welfare shelters about emergencies –  whether they can accept your pets etc.

5. Plan where you will evacuate to if leaving early on a day of extreme or catastrophic fire risk. Pets left in cars in heat will quickly die.

6. Purchase carry cages for cats and other small animals,

7. Purchase secure collars and identification tags with your name, pets name and veterinarians phone number. Make sure you have dog leads with strong clips. – enough for each dog.

8. Plan how you are going to catch your pets and get them to a vehicle. Assign each family member one pet as their responsibility

9. If your are absent from your home when the emergency happens who is going to evacuate your pets? Speak to a neighbour and make arrangements to try and evacuate each others pets.

10. Familiarise your pets to being confined to a carry cage. 

At the beginning of  the fire season –

The following should be placed in the house in a readily accessible area –

1.    Carry cage large enough for the animal to comfortably stand or sit. .Cat crates should be large enough for a litter pan as it is not safe to release a cat from a carry cage for a toilet stop.

2.    The crate or carrier should  be securely marked with your name, the pet’s name and a contact phone number.

3. Collars ( both dog and cat) with identification tags with your veterinarian’s clinic phone number will help re-united found or injured pets with owner quickly.

4.     Dog leash

5.    Canned dog and/or cat food. Don’t forget the can opener.

6.    Food and water bowls

7.    Cat Litter, paper towels and plastic bags for animal waste clean up.

8.    Treats and a favourite toy.

9.    The following Information should be placed in a waterproof bag:

·        Copies of medical and vaccination records

·        Current medications

·        Registration and microchip registration certificates

·        Photo of your pet

On days of extreme or catastrophic fire warnings dogs should be confined to the house or an area where they are able to be quickly collected.  Cats and small dogs should be placed in a carry cage as there may not be time to search the house for a frightened cat hiding in the cupboard or under the bed.

Dogs should have secure collars which will only require clipping on a lead to get the dog to the car. Pets may panic at noise and smoke and the dog or cat that is normally calm and well-behaved may act totally out of character in an emergency situation. Keep the animal secure, confined, on lead and as calm as possible.

If you become separated from your pet in an emergency evacuation advise local veterinarians, animal welfare shelters and rescue organizations,  and veterinarians in surrounding areas.