Animals & natural disasters

Veterinary hospitals, like all animal businesses, also need to make sure they also have a plan for the animals in their care in the event of an emergency. 

The Australian Veterinary Association helps organisations responding to an emergency to access volunteer veterinarians and other veterinary staff. We also have online resources for veterinarians on treating animals injured in natural disasters, and downloadable posters for your practice to help clients remember the importance of preparing for an emergency. 

 

Resources to assist during a bushfire emergency

 

Webinar

Wildlife

• Treatment of burnt wildlife 
• Treating burnt wildlife
• Equipment used for burnt wildlife 

Dogs and cats

• Treatment of burnt cats of dogs 

Livestock

• Agriculture Victoria: Assessing cattle after a bushfire
• Agriculture Victoria: Assessing sheep after a bushfire 
• Agriculture Victoria: Horses affected by bushfires
• Agriculture Victoria: Introduction to fires
• Agriculture Victoria: Disposing of carcasses after bushfire, flood or drought
• New South Wales DPI: Assessing bushfire burns in livestock
• Tasmania DPI: Livestock and domestic animal welfare during bushfires
• Meat & Livestock Australia: Preparing for bushfire season
• Assessment of cattle burnt in bushfires
• Veterinary responses to livestock after a bushfire
• Management of burn injuries in the horse

Emergency response

• Working with fire agencies at bushfires - protocols for volunteers involved in wildlife rescue operations
• Response to bushfires: NSW perspective
• Queensland Government: Preparing animals for natural disasters

Disaster assistance 

National disaster assistance schemes