Local Leaders | Braidwood Veterinary Surgery: Does your fire plan include your pets and farm animals?

Small animals such as dogs, cats and birds are reasonably easy to take with you if you need to evacuate. A prepacked bag which includes several days of food, prescription medication if required, some water, bowls and bedding should be ready to take. It is recommended all pets are secured in a cage, which will make traveling easier, as well as safer for your pet if you need to remain away from home for some time.

Large animals such as horses, cattle and sheep are not as easy to evacuate.

You can prepare these animals by leaving food and large amounts of drinking water, as most fires occur on extremely windy and hot days which increase an animals water consumption. Ideally animals can be placed into bare paddocks with little grass, away from trees, sheds and power lines. Any gates normally left open should be tied open to prevent them shutting. All of these animals should not be let out onto local roads.

Horses should have any item that could burn or melt removed from them. This includes head collars with metal fittings and rugs. Spray paint can be used to place phone numbers on their sides, or markers can be used to write phone numbers on their hooves. These details can help reunite a horse if fencing becomes damaged.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has numerous resources, including detailed guides for animal safety to assist you with your plan: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au