Caring for flood affected animals

To register lost or found animals, go to the RSPCA lost and found website.

Veterinarians and veterinary nurses can volunteer to help through the AVA Veterinary Emergency Taskforce by calling 1300 137 309 or emailing us.

Others can volunteer through the RSPCA.

Report lost and found cattle through Queensland Primary Industries.

Veterinarians can donate or request veterinary supplies through the Provet Flood Relief Program on 1800 777 707 or via email on sales-qld [at] provet [dot] com [dot] au (sales-qld [at] provet [dot] com [dot] au.)

The AVA has information and services to help veterinarians and their families affected by flooding. We have also gathered contact information of members willing to provide clinical advice to vets treating flood-affected animals.

As series of downloadable pdfs are available here on dealing with pets, horses and livestock during natural disasters.

Evacuating with pets

If you are likely to be affected by floods, keep watch over your pets. If possible, bring them inside with you.
Some evacuation centres are now accepting pets, and cats must be in cages and dogs must be on lead.
If you can, take your pets to a friend's place who is not likely to be affected by the floods. The Council even recommends that you stay at a friend's yourself.
Make sure that you have enough fresh water for both you and your pets.
Watch out for any pets who are likely to escape in unusual locations.
If you are taking your pets elsewhere, be careful of crowding and the proximity to other unknown animals. Aggression could occur.
Animals are experts at picking up on human emotions, so if you're distressed, try to put on a brave face for your pets. Assurance in the form of pats and cuddles work well for both you and your pet.
It won't only be humans that seek refuge from the rising flood waters: watch out for poisonous creatures (snakes, spiders etc) that may be seeking refuge in dry places in your home.
For further advice and information contact your local vet.

Caring for pets after the floods

Dogs and cats that survive disasters can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder in the same way as their owners and for the same reasons, such as being placed in an environment that is unpredictable.

While counselling is available for human disaster victims, the signs shown by their animal companions are often ignored initially as people try to come to terms with what has happened.

Signs to look out for

When the situation becomes more normal and pets are reunited with their owners in their home or temporary accommodation, owners may notice changes in their behaviour that indicate that the pet is anxious or stressed. Behavioural changes may include:

loss of housetraining
barking or vocalising more than usual for no apparent reason
hiding or avoiding interaction
aggression
decrease or loss of appetite.

If you are concerned your pet is suffering from an anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress contact a veterinarian.

Advice for pet owners

Set up a safe secure area your pet can get away from noise, people and other pets. This can be a crate, a laundry or a bathroom. Provide separate areas for dogs and cats.
Place familiar objects such as their own bed or mat, toys or a piece of your clothing in this safe area if at all possible.
Use DAP® or Feliway® diffusers in the area to decrease anxiety
As far as possible provide a routine - have set times to feed, play with and groom the pet
Increase active interaction - take dogs for a daily walk (or better still 2), play games like fetch, provide several short positive training sessions each day teaching fun things (NOT OBEDIENCE EXERCISES!)
Do not encourage attention seeking behaviour, pre-empt it with other activities
Provide calm quiet direction at all times

Wildlife

Queensland

If you see injured wildlife, contact your local wildlife rescue organisation or veterinarian for advice.
Do not attempt to handle injured flying foxes under any circumstances. These animals require special skills and vaccinations.
Listing of Queensland wildlife rescue organisations

Victoria

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is reminding Victorians that safety is the number one priority, and to not put themselves at risk trying to help wildlife in flood affected areas. We want Victorians to care for our native animals; however, you can cause significant distress to an animal if you try to intervene and move or feed them. It is not safe to enter floodwaters and a trapped animal may defend itself if it is handled by an inexperienced person.

If you find a sick or injured native animal, please call DSE Customer Service on 136 186 or RACV Wildlife Connect on 13 11 11. DSE’s website also has a list of wildlife rehabilitation organisations that can be contacted if you find sick or injured wildlife. For more information go to the Department of Sustainability and Environment website and click on “Plants and Animals”, then “Native Plants and Animals” and then “Wildlife Rehabilitation”.

Cattle

Queensland

With major concerns about large numbers of displaced livestock, the Queensland Primary Industries has released some useful information about how cattle can be traced back to their owners.

Anybody who finds cattle on their property to contact the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 and to follow the prompts.
An online electronic brands register is also available for displaced livestock at http://ibrands.dpi.qld.gov.au. Anyone finding stray cattle needs to provide relevant information, including the 16 visual characters on the NLIS tag and their contact details.
Once this information has been sent to Biosecurity Queensland the tag numbers will be entered into the database to search for the last place of registration, enabling the owner to be contacted.
Further information is also available at: www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.

Victoria

Recent flooding has damaged fences on many Victorian properties. As a result, cattle and sheep have strayed, often a considerable distance from their owner’s property. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is able to assist producers to locate the
owners of stray stock.

DPI Director Animal Biosecurity and Welfare, Tony Britt, said if a producer finds stray stock and is able to read the number on the NLIS (Cattle) or NLIS (Sheep & Goats) tags that they carry, they should contact DPI on 136 186.

DPI is able to supply NLIS (Cattle) tags at short notice to flood affected producers, often by overnight Express Post. If flood affected producers need to access NLIS (Cattle) tags quickly, they can call DPI’s NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779 during office hours.

Horses

Lost or found horses

The Qld Horse Council will be coordinating a lost horse register. Biosecurity Queensland on 132523 is taking information in relation to lost, found or dead horses and forwarding it to the Queensland Horse Council.

Emergency feed

Hay will be available at the Ipswich Showground from Monday 17/01/2011 if roads are clear. There will also be more hay trucks being sent to the Gatton area if roads are clear.

Please contact the Queensland Horse Council via Debbie Dekker on 07 54646785 mobile 0420926281 or Fiona Thompson on mobile 0434182721 or email president [at] qldhorsecouncil [dot] com if you have a need in your area for emergency horse feed.