RESPONDING TO ANIMAL WELFARE DURING NATURAL DISASTERS

TIMES GONE BY

INSPECTORATE 16 Inspectors state

wide

5 Ambulance officers

Complaints section

Quality control officer

8 volunteer Inspectors

12 volunteer Ambulance officers

Only charity with powers to prosecute under the Animal Care & Protection Act 2001

Investigated 12 180

complaints in 2008/09

financial year

Rescued 7395 animals in the last year

Disaster Management Act 2003

Operational guidelines for local disaster management groups

Local Government Disaster management groups

Qld State Rescue Policy 2000

“Animal Rescue”

RESCUE CAPABILITIES

$150,000 purpose built rescue vehicle

Fleet of 15 4WD 5 animal ambulances 5 rescue boats 3 large mobile domestic

animal vehicles 4 horse floats 1 Cherry picker 2 mobile yards

TRAINING FRAMEWORK

Ethos of personal safety

Competency maintenance

External and internal trainers

Animal First Aid

Navigation

machine operation

Flood boat operation

Vertical rescue

Confined space training

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND FLOODS

RESPONSE

The RSPCA sent a team of 4 Inspectors from Qld

2 Inspectors from NSW RSPCA

3 vehicles

1 rescue vehicles

ANIMALS RESCUED

4 x Horses,

7 x Poultry (Chickens),

6 x Turkeys,

20 x Dairy Cows,

14 x Goats,

2 x Husky Dogs,

4 x Cross Breed Dogs,

1 x Wallaby,

1 x Echidna

1 x Feral Cow (Euthanized)

2 x DSH Cats and

2 x Children’s Pythons

QUALITY ASSURANCE

PREPAREDNESS

Our response is proactive and educational

Moved in front of the flood water

Letter drops with animal welfare information

Assistance in moving domestic animals

Assistance to hobby farmers

OTHER CAPABILITIES

Expert advice and assistance in setting up emergency animal shelters

Activation of special 1800 number for reporting of lost or injured animals during a disaster

Animal welfare computer system (Shelter Mate) used for specific disaster recording. System proven in America during recent fire emergencies.

THE FUTURE

FINALISE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between Local Government and Non-Government Signatories for the Coordination of support during events and disasters

Advocate for changes to the Emergency Management Qld Operational Planning guide which currently only has one line on emergency response for pets

Advocate for changes to the states Roles and Responsibilities paper which currently does not mention animal welfare or rescue.

Mobile Forensic Veterinary Unit

Enlightening

People

Changing

Lives

Helping

Animals