Prepare your Pet: Wet Weather

With wet weather setting in across Queensland this week, here are some tips to keep your pets and livestock safe first, and tips on entertaining your pets indoors. 

Queensland’s local council websites include disaster dashboards providing important information to support local communities during and after disaster events. Find your local council disaster dashboard here. 

“It’s important to prepare your pets and livestock for any weather event because we want to see them safe from harm and not displaced and in need of rescue,” says RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon.

Keep an eye on your local government websites and weather warnings. Act early and move livestock to higher ground if your paddocks are known to flood.

Here are some handy contact numbers and alert websites.

• If you don’t already have one, now is the time to have a Pet Emergency Action Plan.
• Prepare your pets by ensuring you have enough food, water, medication, identification, bedding, toys, carriers and leads on hand and cleaning supplies available.
• Create a safe and secure space for all of your animals
• Don’t tether pets outside if possible – they may do themselves more harm trying to break free
• Provide plenty of access to water and food in heavy bowls if outdoors
• Keep cats indoors
• Ensure objects in your yard are tied down.

1. If you’ve found an injured or sick wild animal, contact the RSPCA 1300 ANIMAL Hotline (1300 264 625). We have a 24/7 service and our team can offer advice over the phone, send out an RSPCA Animal Ambulance out for rescue if we are in your area, or advise local rescue groups closest to you.
2. Animals will likely be in shock and distress following severe weather events, don’t put yourself in harm’s way to rescue them if not safe to do so.
3. If you can easily contain smaller injured animals, keep them secure and dry until help can arrive or take them to your local vet.  
4. Watch the roads! After natural disasters displaced animals may turn up in odd places seeking refuge. Here are more tips for driving safely with wildlife around.
5. Keep your pets inside or secure at dawn and dusk when a lot of native animals are out and about.
Learn about pouch checking deceased wildlife here.

During flood and heavy rainfall, animals may become displaced or lost when homes, sheds and fences are damaged or destroyed. Lost animals should be returned to their home property or correct ownership as soon as possible and appropriate care and treatment for any disease or injury provided. 

• SES can assist for pets and their owners that need rescuing on 132 500.
• For sick or injured pets contact your local veterinarian.
• For lost and found companion animals, contact our RSPCA Qld Lost & Found team on 1300 363 736 and contact your local Council.
• If you notice displaced livestock in need of rescue contact QFES and your local council. 
• For all other matters, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.