27 November 2020

This article has been submitted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

As we head into the bushfire and cyclone season in Western Australia, it’s important to have a plan of action for how you will keep your livestock safe. It is the responsibility of owners and carers of animals to be prepared and plan for how they will not only respond to emergency situations, but also recover from them.

While not all emergency situations are the same, there are number of steps you can take to help minimise their impact.

Take the time to prepare, and review, an emergency plan that covers the hazards that are most likely to affect your family, animals and property. You should include information on:

• transport options for large and small animals that can be evacuated, and planned evacuation routes. For those animals that are unable to be evacuated, outline how they will be managed and sheltered to best ensure their safety and survival.  
• how large volumes of water can be accessed. Mains-supplied services such as water, electricity and gas are unlikely to be available during an emergency.
• the emergency accommodation options with facilities for animals that are available, and what your preferred veterinary and animal emergency services are and
• how you will maintain containment, such as fencing, and the provision of food, water and shelter for your animals after an emergency has passed.

You should also assemble an emergency kit that contains basic necessities and important information for you and your animals, and prepare your property to make it easier to care for your animals in an emergency.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s website has a lot more useful information on preparing for animal welfare before emergencies.