During and after an emergency, animals can become stressed, frightened, and disoriented, just like humans. Familiar scents and landmarks may have been damaged or destroyed. Handle your animals with extra care using low-stress methods during these times.
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The aftermath of a bushfire or flood can be devastating. Your top priority should be ensuring the safety of yourself and your family.
Once the hazard has passed and it is safe to return to your property, evaluate the condition of your livestock. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of your animals.
Bushfire smoke contains harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, dust, and other pollutants, which can pose serious health risks to animals.
Pets, livestock, and wildlife are all vulnerable to these effects, with birds being particularly sensitive due to their delicate respiratory systems.
Exposure to high levels of smoke can cause inflammation, blood clotting issues, and damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Breathing in smoke may lead to airway narrowing and mucus buildup, making it difficult for animals to breathe.
Be on the lookout for the following symptoms in your animals:
If your animals show any of these signs, contact a veterinarian immediately. Flooding or Storms
Prolonged exposure to wet or unsanitary conditions can lead to various health issues in animals, such as foot rot, mastitis, parasitic infestations, and bacterial infections. Watch for these warning signs:
Managing livestock during drought requires careful planning and monitoring to ensure their welfare. Legally, livestock owners are responsible for ensuring animals receive proper care, including during droughts. If unable to care for animals, they should be sold, transported or euthanised under veterinary advice. Livestock owners can seek support from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in times of drought.
Key drought management strategies include maintaining adequate supplies of water, food, and shelter, and making early decisions to sell, agist or euthanise animals if resources become insufficient.
Animals should never be allowed to starve or die of thirst. Regular monitoring helps identify, treat or euthanise weak or sick animals.
Any necessary changes in diet due to drought conditions should be gradual to avoid health issues, and measures to control parasites should always be in place.
Owners must prevent animals from accessing toxic plants or becoming trapped in drying water sources during times of drought.
Livestock are also at risk during bushfires and storms. Prolonged exposure to smoke or unsanitary conditions after storms can lead to serious health issues.
Smoke Exposure Risks:
Respiratory irritation
Reduced feed intake and weight loss
Increased vulnerability to infections
Flood or Storm-Related Risks:
Foot rot
Mastitis
Parasitic infestations
Bacterial infections
Watch for these symptoms:
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Persistent coughing
Lameness or reluctance to move
Swelling or sores on feet and udders
Fever, reduced milk yield, or appetite changes
Action: If these signs appear, seek immediate veterinary assistance and ensure animals have access to clean, dry shelter and water.
Managing livestock during drought requires careful planning and monitoring to ensure their welfare. Legally, livestock owners are responsible for ensuring animals receive proper care, including during droughts. If unable to care for animals, they should be sold, transported or euthanised under veterinary advice. Livestock owners can seek support from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in times of drought.
Key drought management strategies include maintaining adequate supplies of water, food, and shelter, and making early decisions to sell, agist or euthanise animals if resources become insufficient.
Animals should never be allowed to starve or die of thirst. Regular monitoring helps identify, treat or euthanise weak or sick animals.
Any necessary changes in diet due to drought conditions should be gradual to avoid health issues, and measures to control parasites should always be in place.
Owners must prevent animals from accessing toxic plants or becoming trapped in drying water sources during times of drought.
Bushfire smoke contains harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, dust, and other pollutants, which can pose serious health risks to animals. Pets are highly susceptible to these effects, with birds being particularly sensitive due to their delicate respiratory systems.
Health Risks:
Inflammation and airway narrowing
Mucus buildup causing breathing difficulties
Potential damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems
Watch for these symptoms:
Increased breathing rate or difficulty breathing (e.g., open-mouth breathing, noisy breathing)
Coughing or gagging
Lethargy or depression
Weakness or wobbliness
Disorientation
Reduced appetite or thirst
Nasal discharge
Eye irritation and excessive tearing
Action: If your pet shows any of these signs, contact a veterinarian immediately.
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of different animals, from dogs, cats, and birds to horses, rabbits, and sheep! We believe that all creatures, great and small, can bring joy to our families and homes. Begin your adoption journey today and make an adorable lifelong friend!
By providing temporary homes for our animals, we can ensure they get the care they need until they are ready to be adopted. Join our network of foster carers for an incredibly rewarding experience; with your help, we can change the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.
We rely on our generous supporters to continue assisting the thousands of animals turning to RSPCA NSW for help. No matter how small your contribution, every gift makes a lifesaving difference for animals in need.
By raising funds and lending a hand to communities and their pets, our volunteers play a pivotal role in our work throughout NSW. If you have a genuine concern for animals and enjoy meeting like-minded people, consider becoming an RSPCA NSW volunteer today!
