You may have to leave your home or even your district.
Depending on the nature of the disaster, you may not be able to find your pets or be able to take them with you in the event of an evacuation.
The first concern of Civil Defence workers is human life. They may be unable to assist your pets.
It is possible you may be unable to return to your home for many days.

How can you best help your animals

Be prepared at all times-you never know when a disaster will strike. There are three things you can do to help your domestic pets now, just in case.

Have a permanent disc on your pet's collar with your name, phone number and, if possible, address.
Always have a carry-box with a blanket or towel ready. Identify the box with your name, address and phone number. The box is always useful for emergency trips to the vet!
Keep an emergency supply of tinned food.

In the event of immediate evacuation

Go immediately to your street assembly point. Once there, tell the authorities what animals you have left behind and where you have left them.
Do not return to your home. (Appointed Wardens and SPCA personnel will be on hand to visit your home for you.)
You will eventually be moved to another location, and so will your pets, but possibly to a different safe area. Do not attempt to locate them. You will eventually be reunited.
Wherever possible in an evacuation, consideration will be given to having pets accompany their owners. However this may not always be possible.
However much you care for your animals, human life is more important.

Where there is time

Sometimes you will have advance warning of an emergency - use this time to ensure that your pet has some form of identification attached.
If you have the time feed your pets before leaving. In cases of flooding, your pets or caged birds can be placed in the roof space of your home with as much food and water left for them as practicable.
If you are to be evacuated and you are unable to take your animals with you, or if you have been ordered to
leave your pets behind, you should unchain goats and release penned animals, including chickens. If you have stock, open internal farm gates but do not allow access to roads.
When you are able to, contact your local SPCA. Tell them where your animals are and how they can be identified.
SPCA personnel will assist all animals. If possible an animal welfare member will be at the designated human meeting points to provide help.
Remember that your animal may be more adaptable and self sufficient than you think.

Where you are able to stay home

Storm

Stay indoors with your pets. Keep away from windows and stay near the centre of the house if possible. Tether large animals.

Earthquake

If you and your pets are outside, keep clear of buildings, tall structures and power lines. If you are inside, remember human life must take precedence. Avoid windows, heavy furniture and fittings. Take cover under a solid table or internal doorway. Don't look for your pets until shaking ceases. After a quake, try to conserve the water stored in your cylinder or cistern. Keep your pets away from any chemical spillage.

Volcanic Eruption

During an eruption take your pets inside - do not go outside. Save water in your bath, basin, containers or cylinders.

Tsunami

if you live near the coast, take your pets with you to the nearest high ground after turning off power and gas.

Flooding

if it is safe to do so, take your pets with you to the nearest high ground, otherwise await rescue inside.

Clutha District Council, PO Box 25, Balclutha