In our series on 'Flood Readiness—Are We Better Prepared?', we have already covered Essential Energy, Communication, Police and Fire and Rescue, and the Bureau of Meteorology. Today, Part 5 looks at animal rescue and shelter agencies.

We cover key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.

So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next.

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Today is World Veterinary Day, so there is no better day to find out how we better care for our animals during a disaster than today.  

We wanted to cover both our beloved pets and our much-admired wildlife, which we love to see in their natural environment. So we have spoken to the RSCPA and the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, as well as some resources from the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).

A spokesperson for the RSPCA has revealed that disaster relief is one of the key objectives in their three-year strategic plan. 

Currently, RSPCA NSW does not have permission to enter flood zones. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for coordinating the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA). RSPCA NSW is a supporting organisation of the DPI and can be activated during a disaster by DPI.  

How did the RSPCA perceive the scale and longevity of the issues of the 2022 floods over time? 

“RSPCA NSW assisted during the 2022 floods by providing animal health checks, pet food supplies, livestock feed and animal care advice across thirty locations throughout affected NSW communities. We had a number of Inspectors assisting in the Lismore community as well as a team member based at a local veterinary clinic to provide additional aid.  

“The impact of that event on both people and their pets has played a role in the development of our emergency response and disaster relief objectives for the next three years.  

“With 69% of Australians being pet owners, it's crucial that we prepare adequately to ensure the safety of our animals during increasingly frequent and larger-scale disasters in NSW.”

 What has changed in the RSPCA’s response to an event of this scale? 

“RSPCA NSW is prioritising raising awareness in the community, particularly about the importance of emergency preparedness. By doing so, we can provide relief to both pet owners and animals impacted by these sudden, and often, unexpected events.  

“RSPCA NSW is also building strong relationships with emergency agencies like SES NSW and other organisations. We will be encouraging emergency agencies and human based charities to promote the importance of including animals in disaster planning. By collaborating with other agencies, we aim to have a coordinated response to future disasters. 

“We have an increased understanding of the ongoing needs of affected communities, including the importance of offering continuous support during these times in the way of veterinary care and animal supplies. We are also able to better acknowledge the wider socio-economic effects of floods on pet owners, farmers, and wildlife habitats.  

“We hold the belief that by working together during times of crisis, we can minimise the impacts on both animals and their people.”

 Will people see anything different from you in the next major flood event? 

“In recent years, during bushfires and flood events, one of the significant challenges we faced was the lack of personnel to cover the entirety of the state. The limited team we had often felt ill-prepared to provide effective assistance. In response, we've taken proactive steps by establishing an Emergency Response Team. 

“We are actively recruiting individuals to join this team and conducting training sessions in various regions across the state. Our team will comprise of both volunteers and staff members from diverse locations, with the aim of enhancing our response capabilities for future events. 

“We have expanded our Inspectorate by recruiting additional Inspectors and providing them with comprehensive training, including in large animal rescue, flood awareness training and other critical skills needed in times of disaster.  

“RSPCA NSW has invested in new equipment and assets to strengthen our capacity to assist in emergencies. These include horse floats, rescue trailers equipped with generators, emergency tents and rescue boats. These additions will significantly enhance our ability to provide effective assistance in various disaster scenarios, allowing us to better reach and support animals and people.”

 Is there now a written disaster plan to consult? 

“RSPCA NSW is actively developing a comprehensive disaster preparedness and response plan to effectively address a range of disasters, such as bushfires, floods, drought, and other emergencies. “

In the RSPCA’s recommendation for caring for neighbours or others pets during flood or fire, they request that you “please call RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League or the local police station to the animal’s location straight away. Legally, most volunteer organisations or civilians are not able to enter active fire or flood zones, but RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League are often able to assist in these situations as they receive proper training and equipment required to enter these zones during an active emergency.”

Further Flood and Bushfire FAQ’s and information on the RSPCA’s relationship with DPI can be found here.   

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(Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital)

Speaking with Russell Mills, the General Manager of the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (BBWH), he speaks of the increasing importance of the value of fauna and the measures being put into place to protect them. A subplan under the NSW State Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN), the Wildlife in Emergencies Sub Plan is being developed to manage any “emergency affecting wildlife in NSW.” This refers to all animals included in the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 i.e. native birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals (except the dingo).

“One of the outcomes relating to the wildlife care sector was that the need for a separate functional area for responding to wildlife in emergencies distinct from the DPI AAFSA (which was properly focused on livestock, domestic pets and companion animals),” said Russell, “BBWH participated in EPA Listening workshops to inform the Wildlife Sub-Plan, part of the EnviroPlan, in turn part of the EMPLAN.”

This allows unfunded organisations like the BBWH to claim financial compensation for the treatment and care of wildlife. Native fauna do not have an owner to pay for their vet bill, so donations and formal recognition of their efforts, such as the sub plan, is vital in their ability to continue to care for animals and provide mobile triage and expert vet care for wildlife impacted by natural disasters.

“We are also a member of the Wildlife Emergency Response Team Northern Rivers, regional groups of suitably skilled and qualified ‘first responders’ to wildlife impacted by natural disasters, referenced in the Wildlife Sub-plan.”

It is not easy to get or qualify for finance, and the wait can be difficult to work with, “We have applied to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Disaster Ready Fund Round 2 to establish rapid response mobile veterinary service for wildlife during natural disasters. (we already have the facility, but we need funding to roll it out). This is the Australian government’s flagship program to deliver up to $200 million of Australian Government funding for disaster risk reduction and resilience initiatives, with funding matched by state, territory, local government and other applicants. Each state and territory has lead agencies eligible to apply. In NSW the lead agency is the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Successful applicants are expected to be advised by the end of June 2024.

 “The biggest hurdle in all this is funding to pay for operations for either our in situ work as North Coast’s first and only all-species wildlife hospital, or Australia’s only mobile wildlife hospital.

“Internally, we have updated our own wildlife crisis operations plan and have conducted test deployments of Matilda (the name of the mobile wildlife hospital).”

Russell also answered some questions on treating wildlife.

I understand the “normal” patients you see revolve around birds, but can you give us an idea of who you treat?

Over the past two weeks, we have seen kookaburras, Tawny frogmouths, flying foxes, Wedge-tailed eagles, magpies, water dragons, echidnas, possums, a wallaroo (rare around these parts), carpet pythons, turtles and seabirds. Injuries range from being hit by a car, attacked by feral pests, fallen from nests, snagged in barbed wire, bacterial or viral diseases and other unspecified trauma.

What is the best way for people to contact your organisation or get help for animals in times of emergency? 

We are the first and only all species wildlife hospital operating in the North Coast of NSW, and we have treated over 6000 patients since opening in late 2020. 42% of patients are returned to carers or recorded as released into the wild, validating the need for professional care for wildlife by people with the skills and knowledge of their physiology and anatomy. We are open 7 days a week to members of the public and licensed wildlife rescuers with sick, injured and orphaned native animals in their care. There is no charge for our service, but we gratefully accept donations. 1300 WILDLIFE. (1300 945 354). People can also call wildlife rescue organisations in their area including those listed on our Emergency Contacts page.

Do you have any advice for people coming into contact with wildlife during an emergency? 

People can assist animals where safe to do so with BBWH’s veterinary-endorsed wildlife car rescue kits. Supported by the NRMA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the kits include essential items and a usage guide packed in a lightweight, core flute carry cage to enable you to rescue injured native wildlife from roads and other situations. There is also a QR code to download the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App to geo-locate the nearest vet hospital or wildlife rescuer.

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For those that would like to know more about how our wildlife are cared for in disaster, the AIDR is currently developing a disaster handbook. In it, they intend to:

• be an authoritative and trusted source of knowledge for planning for animals in disaster in Australia.
• provide nationally agreed principles.
• identify and promote the adoption of good practice.
• build interoperability between jurisdictions, agencies, businesses, and community leaders by outlining common language and coordinated, nationally agreed principles.
• align national disaster risk reduction and resilience strategy and policy by informing and assisting jurisdictions, agencies and other organisations and individuals in the implementation and adoption of these arrangements.

Another resource for those wanting more information on animals in disaster situations, is the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. The  July 2021 edition was focussed on animals in disaster as will be the April 2024 edition, hopefully available on the release of this story.

Now it is time to go and appreciate your two or four-legged/feathered/scaled/finned friends, and don’t forget to hug your vet today!

Other articles in this series include:

Essential Energy 

Communications - Telstra and Optus

Communications - TPG Telecom and nbn

Police and Fire + Rescue

The Bureau of Meteorology and Live Traffic