In emergency situations, pets are often the most vulnerable member of the family. It’s important to consider what will happen to our pets in the event of a natural disaster.
This means thinking about what plans you can put in place now to make sure your pet is cared for if you were unable to get home, or what you would do with your pet if you had to evacuate.
RSPCA South Australia's video below shows you why it's so important to have a pet emergency plan in place.
Include pets in your emergency and evacuation plan
Planning ahead before a natural disaster strikes will save you valuable time that could save the life of your pet. Your household’s emergency and evacuation plan should be tailored to the number and type of animals you care for.
There are many things you should consider when including pets in your emergency and evacuation plan. You should also talk to your vet to see if there are any other considerations they recommend specific to your pet.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out what plans you need to put in place for your pet.
Alternatively, the following checklist is included in the Get Ready Queensland protect what's most important to you booklet which is available to download.
If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.
Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.
In the event you are unable to get home during a natural disaster, pre-arrange with friends who live close by or neighbours to collect and care for your pets at their place until you are able to return or be reunited.
Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.
Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.
If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.
Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.
If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.
Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.
In the event you are unable to get home during a natural disaster, pre-arrange with friends who live close by or neighbours to collect and care for your pets at their place until you are able to return or be reunited.
Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.
Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.
If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.
Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.
If evacuation is required during a disaster, taking your pet with you or relocating your pet to an alternative location is the best way to protect them. Make a plan for where you could take them, keeping in mind that pets may not be allowed in evacuation shelters unless they are a service animal. Check with family and friends who live outside your local area to see if they would be able to look after your pets if you needed to evacuate. If moving animals to a safer place, do so early to avoid unnecessary risk and ensure they have access to plenty of food and water.
Have contingencies or arrangements in place for transporting animals in emergencies. This extends to livestock where access to horse floats and trucks should be considered.
In the event you are unable to get home during a natural disaster, pre-arrange with friends who live close by or neighbours to collect and care for your pets at their place until you are able to return or be reunited.
Have your pet microchipped and registered with your local council. Have them wear a collar with up-to-date contact information and identification at all times.
Have a pet emergency kit ready to go to save you time during emergencies.
If you have to leave your pets behind, ideally leave them indoors in separate rooms with small or preferably no windows (e.g. a bathroom or laundry) and provide adequate food and water in large heavy bowls. If left outside do not tie them up. When you have to wait out a severe weather event at home, identify a safe area where you can all stay together (e.g. bathroom or laundry) and secure animals so they don’t take flight.
Talk to your vet about any special considerations for your pet.
Prepare your pet safety kit
Get ready before the next disaster hits and pack a bag or box of necessities for your pet to last at least five days, so that you can act quickly during an emergency.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out what you need to include.
Alternatively, the following checklist is also included in the Get Ready Queensland protect what's most important to you booklet which is available to download.
Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.
Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.
Collar with ID tag and leash.
Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.
Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.
Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.
Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.
Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.
Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.
Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.
Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.
Favourite toys that bring comfort.
Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.
Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.
Collar with ID tag and leash.
Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.
Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.
Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.
Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.
Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.
Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.
Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.
Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.
Favourite toys that bring comfort.
Food and bottled water for at least five days. Including feeding bowls and a can opener.
Medicines with clear instructions, medical records and first aid.
Collar with ID tag and leash.
Blankets, bedding or nesting materials.
Birds and pocket pets need shelter coverage for their enclosure.
Have carry boxes (for smaller pets), leads (for dogs) and halters (for livestock) readily accessible.
Litter tray, litter, waste bags and cleaning products.
Consider whether pet insurance is right for you and have relevant paperwork in your emergency kit.
Vaccination and registration documentation plus current photos of you and your pet in a waterproof bag.
Evidence that your pet is a service animal and appropriately trained to access public areas.
Contact details for your veterinarian, local animal shelter, local council and alternative animal accommodation facility.
Favourite toys that bring comfort.
More Tips from the RSPCA Queensland
RSPCA Queensland provides some helpful advice below to some issues that your pets may face during and after Queensland's most common natural disasters.
View their 'Three steps to your Pet Emergency Plan' here
Find out more and Get Ready
Check out these other pages and resources to help you Get Ready.
