For smaller animals
- Ensure your dogs and cats are identified and registered in case you become separated.
- Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date in case they need to be placed in kennels.
- Be sure you can adequately restrain or confine your pet as it may become frightened and distressed.
- Have an appropriate container or equipment to transport your animal.
If you are planning to leave early in the event of a bushfire, consider what items you may need to include in your emergency kit for your pets, such as:
- plastic containers for water and food
- small amounts of pet food
- litter or newspaper
- animal documentation
- pet medication.
On high-risk fire days
If you have to leave your home during the day, you will need to decide whether to take your animals to a safer place.
Keep in mind that, if there is a fire, you may not be able to return to your home for some time.
If you are home, keep your pets inside.
Check you have the necessary pet items in your emergency kit if you plan to leave early.
When leaving your home, keep dogs on a lead and confine other animals in cages or suitable carrying devices.
Cover cages with a woollen blanket to minimise distress and secure all pets in the car.
For larger animals, horses or livestock
If possible, make a safer paddock for your animal.
A safer paddock is a large, open area where there is limited vegetation or fuel for a fire to burn.
The paddock should be heavily grazed or a series of interlocking paddocks that internal gates can be opened to interlink.
Preferably, the paddock will have a large water supply, such as a dam, and is big enough for your animal to move freely to escape flames as they pass.
Fencing and gates for the paddock should not allow your animal to exit the property as it could become a hazard for emergency services personnel and other vehicles.
Remove all equipment from your animal which could heat up and cause injury (e.g. rugs, plastic headstalls, metal buckles etc).
