The AVA’s role in Emergency (Disaster) responses - Queensland

The AVA plays an instrumental role in championing and empowering the veterinary profession to thrive by providing a voice, education, community and support. The AVA also advocates strongly for animal welfare and the work that veterinarians do to support and enhance animal welfare in every aspect of their professional lives. Veterinarians aiding the government’s response in emergency (disaster) situations is essential for animal, and human, welfare.

For emergency responses that are coordinated by other stakeholders, the AVA will facilitate communications through our member channels to request the assistance of private veterinarians.

The AVERT program, managed by Vets Beyond Borders (VBB), is a register of veterinarians who may have the capacity to respond during emergency incidents.

We encourage veterinarians to register with AVERT. Please refer to further information below or contact admin@vetsbeyondborders.org.

Additional assistance provided through the AVA includes:

• A telephone counselling service is available to AVA members, the vet professionals that work for them (who may not be members) and family members. It is available all day every day on 1300 687 327.
• The AVA Benevolent Fund (the Fund) is a registered charity run by AVA members to provide financial support for any veterinarian and/or their family experiencing financial hardship. The Fund assists veterinarians who have suffered loss of income and/or property through bushfires, floods or other events beyond their control.

AVERT (Australian Veterinary Emergency Response Team).

 Vets Beyond Borders (VBB)’s AVERT program was created to meet the urgent need for effective veterinary services following natural disasters or outbreaks of emergency animal disease in Australia. Under AVERT, VBB has compiled a database of more than 2,500 veterinarians and veterinary nurses who have indicated willingness to be deployed. 

 AVERT members come from all sectors of veterinary practice, including production animal, equine, domestic pet and wildlife.  The confidential AVERT register contains relevant details of its membership, including experience, specific training, licensing and location.

 Thanks to funds provided to VBB by WWF-Australia and WIRES, the AVERT register includes a large cohort of members trained in the provision of veterinary care to wildlife.  A number hold darting and firearms licences. VBB has provided several AVERT-registered veterinarians with state-of-the-art darting rifles, facilitates online fireground awareness training for AVERT members and has a mobile triage/acute care unit that can be transported rapidly to where it is most needed.

Details supplied via registration with AVERT will be shared with the relevant government departments to be called upon if required for response to emergency incidents.