With a dangerous fire season on the horizon, RSPCA Victoria and the CFA are calling for locals to not to forget their pets in their bushfire survival plans.
Emergency planning is part of life in Victoria, and that includes thinking about how to keep animals safe when conditions turn.
Pet owners are encouraged to include an emergency kit with food, water, bedding, any medication, and copies of vaccination or identification records as part of their plans.
Make sure their microchip and collar details are up to date so it is easier to get reunited if you become separated in an emergency.
When putting together your bushfire plan, consider how you’ll transport your pets, where you’ll take them, and what they’ll need once you get there.
Keep your kit somewhere easy to grab and include towels or woollen blankets to help protect animals from heat or smoke during travel.
For horses and livestock, it’s important to have a separate plan.
If evacuation isn’t possible, move them into a large, well-grazed paddock with secure fencing and access to water.
Avoid leaving it too late to act — last-minute evacuations can be dangerous for both people and animals.
This summer, take a few extra minutes to make sure your pets are part of your Fire Ready plan.
Visit rspcavic.org/emergencyplanning or cfa.vic.gov.au/pets-and-bushfires for more advice.
