RSPCA URGES PET OWNERS TO HAVE FIRE SAFETY PLAN
Source: News Corp Australia (Extract)
Posted: Nov 12, 2019
As millions of Aussies prepare to evacuate their homes from the catastrophic bushfires, experts are urging us not to forget about our furry friends.
Millions of Australians are bracing themselves for a “dangerous day” as the catastrophic bushfires raging through NSW and Queensland threaten to take a deadly turn.
But while many prepare to evacuate their homes and head for safety, the RSPCA is urging people to include their pets in their fire safety plans.
“Having a plan in place for your pets is crucial to ensuring their safety during bushfire season,” an RSPCA NSW spokesperson said.
“Practice the plan to ensure any possible problems are eliminated. The aim is to reduce the danger, panic and stress of managing your pets in an emergency, like a sudden evacuation.”
Official advice from animal experts includes urging owners to prepare a pet emergency kit containing everything for your pet that you can grab quickly and easily in an emergency. The pet emergency kit should contain necessary equipment such as travel carriers, food and water bowls as well as at least a week’s worth of food.
Other items that need to be included are registration and vaccination certificates as well as toys and blankets.
RSPCA still advises to follow advice on the ground from emergency services but is urging Australians not to abandon pets unless it is impossible to safely get them out of affected properties.
If you have to leave pets behind, the organisation suggests leaving them in a safe, secure room, ideally with no windows and adequate air, such as a big bathroom. Avoid rooms with hazards such as large windows, hanging plants or large picture frames.
Ensure there is a supply of water and make sure items made from synthetic materials, such as blankets and plastic furniture that could melt in extreme heat, are removed from the room.
Parts of Australia are set to experience extreme temperatures today, with strong winds that threaten to spark and spread fires.
Those conditions are almost identical to last week when fires rampaged through the NSW mid north coast, killing three people and destroying 150 homes.
As a result, a catastrophic fire danger warning is currently in place for Sydney, the Hunter, and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven regions with widespread severe and extreme fire danger elsewhere.
If you have any concerns for animals in affected areas, please call RSPCA NSW on 1300 278 3589 or the nearest police station.