Get Ready Animals

Get ready to protect your animals in an emergency - practical steps for companion pets, larger pets, horses and livestock.

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If you are separated from your pet

Make sure your cat or dog is microchipped and registered with NSW Pet Registry. It will help you find your lost pet.

If you become separated from your pet, contact local animal shelters and your local council. Keep a recent photo of your pet to help with identification.

Small Companion Pets

Floods, bushfires and extreme weather events pose great risk to your pet, so it's essential you plan in advance for their safety.

Never leave your pet behind in an emergency. You need to keep your pets with you at all times.

Here is a tool to help you take care of them.

A pet dog and a pet cat sit side by side on a white background, both looking upward. The dog has brown and white fur with its mouth slightly open, and the cat has striped brown fur and upright ears.

Pet Ready Plan

If you are asked to evacuate your home, your pets need to come with you. It is safer for them and safer for you. 

Take a few minutes to create your Pet Ready Plan using three easy steps:

  1. Decide what you will take
  2. Plan how you will safely transport your pet
  3. Choose where you will go if you need to leave home.
1

Decide what items you will take

Pack these items to keep your pet safe during an emergency.

  • Pet carrier or cage
  • Food bowls, food and water
  • Medications and proof of vaccination
  • Microchip, registration number, current photos of yourself and your pet
  • Leash and collar, muzzle or harness
  • Bedding and toys
  • Toileting equipment (E.g. Litter or poo bags)
  • Contact details for your vet
2

Plan how you will safely transport your pet

Make sure you can transport all your pets in one trip, as you may not have time to return.

1. Vehicle
Do you have a vehicle that can safely fit your pets and essential items? If not, ask a friend or neighbour to assist you in an emergency.

2. Prioritise your pet
When you are getting ready to leave, find and secure your pet early. Animals can become nervous and hard to handle, placing them in a secure carrier will help them feel safe during the evacuation process. 

3. Plan ahead
The more animals you have and the larger the animals, the longer evacuation will take. 

3

Choose where you will go if you need to leave home

1. Phone your family or friends
Leaving early and staying with family and friends outside your local area is the safest option
Note: Evacuation centres may not always be open, and not all centres allow pets or animals.

2. Know your route
During an emergency some roads will be blocked or dangerous. Plan ahead and include alternative routes.

3. Stay informed
Listen to ABC Local Radio for updates and download the four official apps for weather warnings, hazard alerts, road conditions and emergency help.

Find out more about evacuation centres

Information on how to find an evacuation centre in an emergency, what services are available and what to expect.

Be prepared with these apps

Download these 4 apps for weather warnings, hazard notifications, road impacts and help from emergency services.

The impact of stress

Animals, like people, can feel stressed during emergencies. They may sense your stress and react to changes in their surroundings, such as smoke or heat.

When animals are frightened, they may become aggressive, bite, scratch, or run away.

To reduce stress, secure your pets early in a crate or safe room. Covering the crate with a light cloth may reduce anxiety. 

Larger animals can be loaded into a float or trailer while you look after yourself and your family.

Frequently asked questions

If you are not at home when an emergency happens, there are steps you can take on high‑risk days to help protect your pets.

  • Place food, water and shelter in more than one safe location
  • Keep indoor pets in a secure room, such as a bathroom or laundry, with no windows and good airflow
  • Leave a note on your front door or mailbox explaining which animals are on the property and where they are located. This can help neighbours or emergency services find and protect your pets. 

Contact your local council as soon as you realise your pet is missing. If a ranger picks up your pet, the council will do their best to reunite you.

You can also contact local veterinarians and animal shelters. Having a recent photo of your pet, especially one that shows clear or unique markings, will help with identification.

It is important to permanently identify and register your pet with your local council and the NSW Pet Registry. Microchipping is the best option for most animals. You can also use a collar with a name and phone number, or place identification on pet carriers.

Hot weather can be dangerous for all animals. Heatstroke, dehydration and extreme heat can be fatal.

Use these steps to help keep your pets safe in hot weather:

  • Keep your pet at home in a cool, well‑ventilated space with shade and fresh water. Fill at least two water bowls in case one is knocked over. If possible, leave air‑conditioning or fans on.
  • Avoid exercising your pet during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Do not walk your pet on hot surfaces. Test the ground with the back of your hand before heading out.
  • Never leave pets alone in a car, even if the windows are open or the car is parked in the shade.
  • Never leave your pet on the tray of a ute in extreme temperatures.
  • Use pet‑safe sunscreen on animals with light coats or little fur to prevent sunburn.
  • Clip pets with long or thick coats to help them stay cooler.

Heat stroke, extreme heat stress and dehydration can kill animals. Symptoms include:

  • rapid panting (birds may pant through open beaks)
  • lethargy
  • drooling
  • weakness
  • muscle tremors or collapsing
  • signs of mental confusion.

Contact the nearest vet immediately if your pet develops these signs or if you are concerned for its welfare.

Do not transport animals in a hot car.

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