Australia’s summer of fires and floods has again highlighted the vital, often unseen role veterinarians play in disaster response and recovery.
Western Australia experienced bushfires just before Christmas, primarily impacting wildlife. In Queensland, widespread flooding has affected tens of thousands of head of livestock, with impacts on animal health and welfare expected to continue for some time. More recently, major bushfires in Victoria has left widespread devastation on wildlife and livestock. Veterinarians are still very active in QLD & VIC providing ongoing care to disaster impacted animals.
Across these events, veterinarians have been integral to both the immediate emergency response and the longer-term recovery of affected animals and communities.
The AVA disaster communications and support work has been coordinated by AVA Senior Advocacy Officer, Liz Gemes, who is responsible for the Association’s disaster response and acts as a point of contact between veterinarians and government disaster management agencies.
“Veterinarians across Australia have shown extraordinary dedication during these disasters, working long hours in highly challenging and emotionally confronting conditions to protect animal welfare. The Australian Veterinary Association is focused on supporting veterinarians on the ground, connecting them with assistance, supplies, resources and wellbeing supports, while also advocating to ensure veterinarians critical role in disaster response is properly recognised and supported. The professionalism, compassion and resilience shown by the veterinary profession during these disaster events has been truly outstanding and admirable.”
North Queensland Floods
The flooding event in North and North-West Queensland was declared a major natural disaster by the Queensland Government on 30 December 2025. Initial surveys show over 50,000 head of cattle are missing or deceased in northwest Queensland, with numbers expected to rise to over 100,000 as assessments continue.
Flood damaged roads have hampered access for rescue, veterinary assessment and veterinary supplies. Flood conditions have led to widespread health issues in cattle, including pneumonia, rain scald and exposure-related conditions associated with prolonged wetness, and further wet weather is predicted that may compound these impacts.
The Queensland Government has announced financial relief for affected residents, including $2 million in Emergency Fodder Support and a $38 million Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Package. Funding for veterinary costs is now available to primary producers under the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants.
“Our members in Queensland are showing considerable leadership in very challenging conditions,” said Australian Cattle Vets President Dr Stacey Rae. “From managing complex livestock health issues to assisting distressed producers, veterinarians are a critical part of the flood recovery effort.”
In the North Queensland floods, the AVA response has involved:
- Acting as a point of contact between veterinarians and Queensland disaster response agencies, sharing information and providing escalation pathways for veterinary and animal welfare issues.
- Referring impacted members to the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants, including support for veterinary costs and carcass disposal.
- Working with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to address urgent medication shortages and associated logistical challenges in affected areas.
- Linking members to mental health and financial supports, including the 24/7 AVA counselling service, Red Cross Psychological First Aid resources and the AVA Benevolent Fund, with AVA Member Services undertaking welfare outreach calls to disaster-impacted practices.
- Supporting a dedicated WhatsApp group for veterinarians involved in the flood response to troubleshoot issues, coordinate assistance and provide informal peer support.
More information on AVA support and resources for the Queensland floods is available at:
https://www.ava.com.au/member-updates/qld-north-and-north-west-floods–information-and-support-for-veterinarians/.
Victorian Bushfires
The Victorian Government has declared a State of Disaster for 18 local government areas and 1 alpine resort, until 8 February 2026. Almost 16,000 head of livestock have been killed or injured, with further losses likely reported as access improves to fire-affected areas.
More than 350,000 hectares of land have been burnt, and approximately 300-350 structures, including around 80 homes, have been destroyed. Joint federal and Victorian government announcements include an initial $19.5 million disaster relief package, with broader recovery measures increasing total support to nearly $100 million, covering fodder, emergency housing, mental health services, community recovery staffing, power outage payments and additional farming aid.
The AVA is advocating for veterinary services for bushfire-impacted animals to be explicitly included in relevant funding programs and is awaiting formal responses from government.
“Victoria’s veterinary community is working under very difficult circumstances, often while personally affected by the fires,” said AVA Victorian Division President Dr Cathy Deague. “The AVA is actively engaging with government to ensure veterinarians are properly integrated into the response and that animal welfare obligations are upheld.”
In the Victorian bushfires, the AVA response has involved:
- Acting as a contact point between veterinarians and Victorian disaster response agencies, providing escalation pathways for veterinary and animal welfare concerns.
- Liaising with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to support the deployment of the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan, including animal welfare assessment, veterinary treatment and humane destruction services.
- Promoting and supporting the veterinary surge workforce coordinated by DEECA and the activation of Vets Beyond Borders’ AVERT to facilitate additional veterinary resources for livestock and wildlife response.
- Supporting a WhatsApp group for veterinarians involved in the Victorian bushfires for the purpose to assist sharing updates, ask questions, coordinate assistance, and exchange relevant information
- Providing mental health and practical support through the AVA counselling service, AVA Benevolent Fund and Member Services welfare outreach calls to affected practices.
- Advocating on several bushfire response issues including animal welfare and engagement of veterinary services.
Further information on veterinary arrangements and supports in the Victorian bushfires is available at:
https://www.ava.com.au/member-updates/victorian-bushfires–veterinary-arrangements-and-supports/.
Funding for Veterinary Services
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) acknowledge the effort and services veterinarians and veterinary clinics have provided in response to the bushfire. This service to animal owners and Victorian communities provides timely, humane and essential support to rural communities in need.
The Victorian Government covers the cost of veterinary services delivered by DEECA as part of its response and relief activities, including veterinarians engaged through DEECA’s Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Veterinary pool or Wildlife Emergency Support Network (WESN).
Impacted landholders who are eligible for the Victorian Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of $75,000 can claim the cost of veterinary services required for the immediate treatment and care of livestock affected by the bushfires. This includes the assessment and treatment of injured or sick livestock, the provision of nutritional or medical regimes for recovery, and euthanasia.
In some situations, DEECA will engage local veterinarians to undertake in clinic triage of wildlife brought in by the Wildlife Field Assessment Teams. This usually occurs where there are low numbers of animals, or in the early stages of a response. Where these wildlife services are requested by the Incident, the veterinarian will be paid for their services. In addition, if DEECA becomes aware of burnt wildlife being placed with a wildlife rehabilitator, the initial veterinary assessment of those animals may be paid for through the incident.
Resources
The AVA maintains a comprehensive suite of resources to help veterinarians prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, including materials on bushfires, floods, storms and other emergencies, with guidance on animal health risks, emergency planning, triage and welfare decision-making. These resources are accessible via the AVA’s natural disasters hub:
https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/natural-disasters/.
Supporting our members
Liz Gemes and the AVA Member Services team are in close contact with many affected members and will continue to provide guidance and support.
“Our outreach calls are providing members with clear information about available support and helping us identify emerging issues in affected areas,” said Karen Lee, AVA National Manager – Member Services. This does however take time, and please know that if you are yet to hear from us, you will.”
For further support and coordination, members are encouraged to contact AVA Member Services in the first instance, where additional information and relevant contact details can be provided: 1300 137 309 or members@ava.com.au.
AVA Veterinary Benevolent Fund
The AVA Veterinary Benevolent Fund exists to help any veterinary professional, AVA member or not, going through financial hardship or a difficult time, including impacts from the recent floods.
No circumstance is insignificant, and no request is too small. Your situation matters to us and we want you to reach out. Contact AVA Member Services (even if you are not a member) for a confidential, understanding discussion around your circumstances. We’ll then put you in touch with one of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund Trustees.
If you are in a position to support the VBF, all donations are gratefully accepted. Donations directly help veterinary professionals and their families affected by illness, financial hardship, accident, or otherwise having a tough time. Make a donation here.