About the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan
The Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan has been developed to provide the Victorian community and emergency services with a Plan that:
- Contributes to enhanced public safety and community resilience; and
- Ensures animals are better considered and protected from suffering during and immediately following emergencies.
The plan integrates existing, everyday legislative requirements for animal welfare with the State’s formal emergency management arrangements, describing:
- The planning requirements for animal welfare support services in emergency preparedness, response, relief and recovery
- The roles and responsibilities of agencies, organisations and owners and carers that have a role in planning for and providing emergency animal welfare support services
- Operating arrangements during an emergency between animal welfare agencies and organisations, emergency service agencies and animal owners and carers.
The Plan was developed through extensive collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, as primary Support Agencies in emergency animal welfare, and a range of stakeholders. This includes significant contributions from the following organisations.
- Australian Veterinary Association, Victorian Division
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Victorian Branch
- Yarra Ranges Shire Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Nillumbik Shire Council
- City of Whittlesea
- Municipal Association of Victoria.
Further information
- An online version of the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan
- Animal welfare in emergencies
