Pets, livestock & assistance animals
Include animals in your emergency plan before conditions deteriorate.
Make animal arrangements early
NSW Government — Get Ready Animals
Emergency planning for companion animals, larger pets, horses and livestock, including a Pet Ready Plan.
Important: Plan safe animal transport and alternative accommodation early. Do not re-enter an unsafe area to retrieve an animal; follow emergency-service directions.
NSW SES — household pets emergency planning
Pet evacuation planning and a 3–7-day animal emergency-kit checklist.
Important: Plan to take pets, but evacuation centres may not always be available or suitable for animals; arrange alternative safe options. Assistance animals have separate access guidance.
NSW SES — assistance animals emergency planning
Planning guidance and kit checklist for assistance animals during evacuation.
Important: The NSW SES page says people should not be denied transport or evacuation-centre access because of an assistance animal; plan travel and specific animal needs in advance.
Check current evacuation-centre arrangements and identify suitable alternatives for animals. Assistance animals have distinct access protections; use the linked SES guidance for those arrangements. Never re-enter an unsafe location to retrieve an animal.
Sick or dead birds and wildlife
For suspected bird flu, open the official H5 reporting guidance. Do not touch or closely approach sick or dead birds or other animals. The Emergency Animal Disease Hotline is 1800 675 888.
Related information
Evacuation and road conditions · Household plan · Accessible planning.