Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan:
2.0 Purpose and Scope
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The purpose of this document is to provide the Victorian community and emergency services with a Plan that integrates existing, everyday legislative requirements for animal welfare with the State’s formal emergency management arrangements, to achieve efficient and effective management of animals, and coordination of animal welfare support services before, during and after an emergency event. The Plan describes:
- The planning requirements for animal welfare support services in emergency preparedness, response, relief and recovery,
- The roles and responsibilities of agencies, organisations, owners and carers that have a role in planning for and providing emergency animal welfare support services, and
- Operating arrangements during an emergency for animal welfare agencies and organisations, emergency service agencies and animal owners and carers.
The scope of this Plan is to provide a coordinated approach to the management of animal welfare impacts to companion animals, livestock, and wildlife, as a direct result of an emergency incident in Victoria. This Plan provides a framework during any emergency that impacts animal welfare, to clarify responsibilities and highlight existing emergency response plans and procedures. This Plan does not replace specific agency operational emergency management plans, rather it provides for the overarching coordination between agencies and organisations.
The Plan provides for the new role of State Emergency Animal Welfare Coordinator (SEAWC). This role is notionally assigned to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) State Manager, Animal Health Field Services as the initial contact person for the state wide coordination of animal welfare activities. The SEAWC may convene a multi-agency advisory group, where necessary during an emergency, to assist with state wide coordination of animal welfare arrangements. Decisions regarding implementation of specific operational plans reside with respective agencies and organisations.
