DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT - PLAN, PREPARE AND PROTECT (YOUR PETS)

Start planning for the bushfire season now, Animal Aid can show you how, regardless of whether you live in the bush or the 'burbs you should have a fire / disaster plan in place.

The events of Black Saturday mean that we cannot be complacent about the devastating effects of fire. Last year pet owners fled the fire-zone only to find that their pets were not welcomed at the emergency relief centres.

This has not changed. Most local councils are not planning for you to keep your pets with you at a relief centre. If a disaster happens during peak holiday period, your local shelter or boarding facility may not have any space available to house your animals.

You need to plan ahead for the safety of your pets and you need to start now.

‘Keeping our loved ones, including our pets, safe in times of disaster requires careful planning and preparation’ says Deb Boland, Animal Aid spokesperson.

To enable you to plan effectively, contact your council and establish what support they will provide for your pets in their Emergency Management Plan.

Don’t risk losing your animals because you haven’t planned for their safety. Here are four simple steps that you can take now to ensure that you can keep them safe.

1. Have a disaster plan that includes your pets and know what support council will provide.
2. Ensure that they are identifiable with a current tag and or microchip.
3. Make sure your mobile phone number is up to date on the microchip or registration database.
4. Have a Pet Evacuation Pack ready (download the checklist here >> )

On high risk days, if you choose not to evacuate, know where your pets are at all times.
Animal Aid has a resource kit available to download with some easy and practical ideas on how to keep your animals, including livestock, safe in times of disaster.

For more information call Linda Marston on 9739 0300 or to download your Disaster Planning for Pets Resource Kit click here >>.

Shire of Yarra Ranges Community Safety Expo
There is a wide range of support and services available to help you get your family bushfire and disaster ready. This Saturday Animal Aid will be at the Shire of Yarra Ranges Community Safety Expo at Lillydale Lake, Lilydale, between 10 am and 3 pm. We urge you to take advantage of this rare opportunity to access all the emergency and social services in one place. They will be there to advise you in all aspects of what you can do to keep your family safe this summer. Please download this flyer we hope to see you there.

Newsletter Edition 12
We are excited to bring you our 12th edition of Animal Aid News. As an Animal Aid supporter we hope you understand how important you are in helping us to spread our message. Please forward this on to as many of your family, friends and colleagues who care about animal welfare.
Click here >> to read our newsletter in PDF format.