The AVA Submission to the Inquiry into the 2026 summer bushfires across Victoria highlights the pivotal role of the veterinary profession in disaster responses by treating disaster affected animals and assessing those requiring urgent veterinary care, including making informed decisions on humane euthanasia for severely injured animals where necessary, to ensure animal welfare needs are met.
The AVA provides six recommendations for the Inquiry’s consideration and presents information on the following key areas:
- Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan
- AVA Support During the Bushfires
- Veterinary Support Arrangements and Future Improvements
- Funding for Veterinary Services
- Expediting Veterinary Supplies into Disaster Impacted Areas
- Humane Destruction of Bushfire Injured Animals
- Disaster Resilience Funding to Improve Animal Welfare Outcomes
- Animal Disaster Impact Reporting
- Public Awareness
Read the full AVA Submission Here.