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Disaster planning for pet animals

Disasters always happen to other people. Those involved in disaster mitigation must realise that the average person is unlikely to plan for disasters in any way. Despite the awareness of wildfire many semi-rural homes still have trees overhanging the roof and leaves filling the gutters. Most people do not have contingency plans for their families, let alone their pets. Yet there are numerous examples of children and adults who have died trying to save animals. In the event of an emergency there must be a strategy to house and care for pets or people may not cooperate with those trying to assist them. Pet planning must be considered by all authorities likely to be involved in disaster mitigation.