Animal Aid is calling on all pet owners to take a serious look at their home emergency plan, making sure that their pets and livestock are incorporated in their ‘fire ready’ plan of attack.

During the 2009 bushfires and subsequent flooding events, it was apparent that many people had not planned effectively for the evacuation of their pets.

With the record amount of regrowth seen over this spring season, rising temperatures and humidity, Victorians are at an increased risk of bushfires and flooding.

Animal Aid wants pet owners to know that preparation and planning are essential and have a number of top tips to help keep your pets safe during the coming fire season:

1. Know where your pets are on high risk days
2. Have all pets and animals identified with tags and microchips
3. Ensure your pets are up to date with vaccinations and keep the records at hand.

An important part of your plan is to make alternative arrangements for your pets on high risk days. Whether you leave pets with family or friends living in low risk areas, make arrangements with a boarding facility for doggy or kitten day care, or alternatively, if your workplace will allow it, take pets to work.

If at home on these days Animal Aid recommends that owners ensure that pets are wearing a collar and identification and not let out unsupervised. Pets can become more fearful and nervous during a disaster.

Microchipping pets gives owners the best chance of being reunited with their pet if they do get separated. When microchipping, Animal Aid recommends that contact details, particularly mobile phone numbers are current. To check current pet ownership details, visit Central Animal Records at www.car.com.au (03 9706 3187) or the Australian Animal Registry at www.aar.org.au (02 9704 1450).

Animal Aid also recommends that pet owners contact their local council and establish whether they will allow pets in their emergency refuge centres and make sure that pet vaccinations are up to date as this is a pre requisite if you need to house a pet in emergency accommodation or a boarding facility.

Animal Aid provides some very valuable advice for emergency planning for pets and livestock on their website with practical resources that will help pet owners and assist emergency workers in times of disaster, visit www.animalaid.org.au.

According to Animal Aid General Manager, Nell Thompson, Animal Aid is committed to assisting the community during fire disasters, but it is still imperative that all pet owners plan for their pet’s survival and use the resources around them to be prepared.

“The knowledge and firsthand experience gained from our efforts during and after Black Saturday, means that Animal Aid is well prepared for future natural disasters and ready to assist.”

“Animal Aid has an Emergency Response Unit which can offer emergency assistance with larger animals such as horses or cows, right down to smaller livestock , companion animals and even wildlife. The unit will be operated by an Emergency Response Team made up of Animal Aid staff and volunteers.”

“The bottom line with fire emergency plans is to be prepared and don’t leave things to the last minute.”