Animal preparedness research shines again

Research into animal preparedness during emergencies has contributed to a new award-winning website to assist people and their animals be ready for natural hazards.  

Backed by research from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, the Get Ready Animals website has been awarded the New South Wales Resilient Australia Award. The website is a major outcome from the NSW State Emergency Service’s Ohana Project, funded by Resilience NSW. The Ohana Project aims at improving the way people plan for animals in an emergency and was announced as the winner of the Government category in the online ceremony for the 2020 Resilience Australia Awards.

The Get Ready Animals website provides evidence-based information and targeted resources on the role animals play in how people prepare for emergencies. Dr Mel Taylor (Macquarie University), lead researcher of the Managing animals in disasters project, was vital to the development of the website and its resources as a key member of the website steering committee.

The team’s research has identified best practice approaches to animal emergency management, enabling emergency management agencies to obtain the data they need to make better informed decisions on planning and targeting or resources. It has shown that people’s decision making and behaviour during emergencies is significantly affected by whether they own animals or not.

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York applauded the win at the Awards, encouraging animal owners to use the resources available on the Get Ready Animals website to ensure their readiness should a disaster hit.

“We need to make sure our communities are not only prepared themselves, but are preparing for their animals as well,” she said.

“There are many resources available through the website including How to Build an Animal Ready Community, which is a great guide to help communities and animal groups become more prepared and self-reliant.”

The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia. By winning the NSW award in the Government category, the Get Ready Animals website will now be in the running for the national award, which takes place in December.

Congratulations to Dr Taylor, the NSW Department of Primary Industry, Office of Local Government, NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service, Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour Council, Kiama City Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Macquarie University, Australian Veterinary Association, Dogs NSW, Cat Protection Society, RSPCA Illawarra, Pet Industry Association of Australia, Equestrian Australia, NSW Pony Club Association, South East Local Land Services, Assistance Dogs Australia, Kiama Veterinary Hospital, TAFE Illawarra, Hanrob Pet Boarding and Training, The Behavioural Architects, and community members from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

In addition to the Get Ready Animals website, Dr Taylor’s research has recently contributed to two community-specific booklets to help people prepare themselves and their animals for an emergency. Adapted for the NSW regions of Hawkesbury-Nepean and the Blue Mountains, you can read about the two Keeping Your Animals Safe in an Emergency guides here.

For information about planning for animals in emergencies, visit the Get Ready Animals website or the Managing animals in disasters project page.