Prepare your animals for storms

Keep your animals safe during storms and extreme weather by including them in your emergency plan.

Transcript

00:00Storms can be a stressful experience for animals, so when extreme weather strikes

00:05it's important to include your pets in your emergency plan.

00:09It might be simple to just put your dog in the car, but that's not the end of it.

00:13You need to know where will you go and you need to also have a couple of options as

00:16well, just in case that first option is not available to you.

00:19According to the SES, including pets in emergency plans is a matter of safety

00:25for all members of the household.

00:28When evacuation is delayed, for example, animals are often left behind in the last-minute

00:34scramble for safety.

00:37If you know a storm is on the way, make sure your animals are secure and safe.

00:43Check if your local evacuation centre accepts pets.

00:47Some may only accept pets with identification and proof of vaccination.

00:53So make sure you have these documents in your grab-and-go emergency bag.

00:59Your bag should also include food, water, litter, collars, and any medications.

01:06SES volunteer Robert Leach says training beforehand can help you get your stressed pet into their

01:13carrier quickly.

01:14As soon as I bring out the carrier, my cat thinks, right, it's time for the vet, and

01:19he goes and runs and hides under the bed.

01:22If you're in an emergency, that is terrible.

01:24So having positive reinforcement, maybe leaving that carrier out in your house, maybe spraying

01:28some pheromones like Feliway, or even feeding your animals in that carrier so they get used

01:32to it a bit more, they have that understanding that it's not just a trip to the vet, it's

01:37something that may be positive.

01:40Ensure your animals are microchipped and registered with your details up to date.

01:46If you need help during an emergency, contact SES on 132 500.

01:54If the matter is life-threatening, call 000.