Pets and Bushfires

You are here:

Pets and assistance animals are much loved members of our families. It's important to include your pets in your fire plan, to keep them, and you safe on higher risk days.

Include your pets in your fire plan

Pets are family members, and it can be tempting to put yourself at risk in a fire to save them. But it's important to have a plan in place so you can make good decisions that keep you and your pets safe on hot, dry and windy days.

If you live near bush, grassland or coastal areas, or you holiday in these areas, you need to plan for your pets' safety over bushfire season.

Your plan should include:

when to leave
where to take your pet
what to take with you

Each of these topics is covered below.

When to leave

High risk fire danger days and pets

A high risk fire day is when the weather is hot, dry and windy, or the fire danger rating is Extreme or Catastrophic.

Make sure you check the Fire Danger Rating during the warmer months to see what the fire risk will be up to four days in advance.

Be ready to go

In periods of high fire danger, have your pets' essentials ready to go.

Leave early before there is a fire in the area. Make sure you and your pets are well away from high risk areas on Catastrophic fire danger days.

Leave early and reduce the risk of getting caught

Where possible, leave early, before a fire threatens. If you or your pets are stressed, it might take longer to get ready and in the car. Make sure you factor this into your timing.

Go through the following steps when leaving with your pet, so you don't forget anything important.

Contain your pet early - on a lead, in a crate or carrier and make sure they have plenty of water to drink.
Confirm where you'll go. Can your pets stay at a kennel or cattery, a friend or family member's house or will they stay with you?
Find your pet emergency kit and key documents. Bring them with you.
Secure your pet in your vehicle with a proper restraint.

Leave a note on your door for emergency services, indicating your location and the details of any animals you left behind.

Put your safety first

Never try to go back and get your pet once a fire has started and don't stay at home to be with your pet—it puts you and your pets' lives at risk.

Leaving late, once a fire has started, could result in injury or death. Roads might be closed or blocked and you could find yourself cut off.

Where to take your pet

Well before bushfire season think about safe locations where your pets could go during periods of high fire danger. Consider:

friends
family
kennels and catteries

Write down contact details for each option.

Speak to the people you have identified to make sure they are happy to look after your pet during an emergency. You may need to leave your pet there while you stay somewhere else.

What to take with you

Have a bag of essentials packed that you can grab and go when leaving early with your pet.

Make an emergency kit for your pets

Organise an emergency kit containing essential items for your pet that you can grab easily when leaving early on high fire risk days. It should include your pets' essential items and documentation, including:

Non-perishable food and water for several days
Bowls, a tin opener and spoons
Back up collar and lead
Cage, carrier or crate for transport
Pet first-aid kit (seek your vet’s advice about the contents)
Treats or toys
Familiar dry and warm bedding or blankets that smell like home (to help reduce your pet's anxiety)
Medications your pet is taking - enough for a week
Written list of medications they're taking
Pet medical history, including proof of vaccination
Vet contact details
Toileting and cleaning supplies - waste bags, litter box, litter, puppy pads

Before bushfire season

1. Update your pet's identification details

It is important that your pets are microchipped and wear an up to date identification tag at all times.

Make sure your pets' information is up to date with the Central Animal Records. They provide pet identification and recovery services for cats and dogs.

2. Gather important documents

Make sure you have key information in one place. Upload essential information online and store hard copies in a waterproof container. This includes:

Owner contact details
Emergency contact details
Pet details, including:
- Name
- Type of pet
- Breed
- Age
- Weight
- Colour/markings
- Microchip number - check details at Pet Address
- Microchip company
- Specific information about their diet, behaviour, fears, triggers or motivations
Evidence of ownership - adoption records, council registration or a photo of you and your pet)
Vet contact details
Vaccination records
Allergies or medical conditions
Prescriptions and information about medications and dose
Recent photos

3. Speak to your neighbours

If you aren't going to be home on days of higher risk, do you have a neighbour you could trust to take your pets with them?

You may not be able to get home due to road closures or the safety risk.

Make sure you speak to them before the fire danger increases so they are ready and willing to help when needed.

4. Practice your plan

Regularly practice putting your pets into their carriers and loading them into the car.

The more you practise your plan, the less stressed your animals are likely to be when the time comes to leave.

Places of last resort and emergency relief centres

Neighbourhood Safer Places - Bushfire Places of Last Resort and emergency relief centres aren't designed to house pets and might not let them in. You will need to check at the time if emergency relief centres are accepting pets.

If they do let pets in, it could cause stress for your pets to be there.

Plan to leave early and stay with friends or family before the fire danger increases, so you don't need to use a Last Resort shelter option or an emergency relief centre.

If your pet is injured in a fire

If your pets suffer burn injuries during a fire, get help from a vet or animal shelter as soon as it is safe to do so. Until then, treat affected areas with cool water.

Learn about caring for pets that have been exposed to ash and smoke.

Returning home after a fire

It can be stressful for you and your pets to return home after a fire.

Below is a list of things to consider before you bring your pets back home.

Check your property for anything that could be dangerous
Make sure that your yard is secure
Organise a clean, dry and safe space is available for your animals
Provide access to clean water and food
Think about bringing your pets home after clean up is complete

Continue to monitor the health and safety of your pets once you return home.

Pets and house fires

If your house catches on fire, never go back into a burning building to rescue your pet. It could result in serious injury or death.

Caring for pets during hot weather

Many animals can experience heat stress when they're not able to maintain their normal body temperature.

On all hot days, especially days of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger, it is important that you keep your pets as cool as possible.

Look for the warning signs:

excessive panting
salivating
pets that whine or seem agitated

Pets may stop panting and vomit when experiencing extreme heat stress.

If your pet shows any of these symptoms, speak to a vet immediately.

Tips for keeping your pets cool on hot days

Have fresh, cool water available at all times.
Ensure your pets have shade at all times or bring them inside into a cool room.
Wipe your pets down with a cool, damp towel or leave wet towels out for them to lie on.
Wet your dog with cool water several times throughout the day.
Consider buying a wading pool for your dog.
For cats, rub damp hands over their coat or along their tummy.
Place ice blocks in your pet’s water bowl.
Wrap ice in a cloth and place it near your pets.
Consider having your dog clipped if their coat is long and thick.

Never leave your pets in a vehicle on a hot day.