---
title: "Pets, livestock & assistance animals"
description: "Include animals in your emergency plan before conditions deteriorate."
---

## Make animal arrangements early

**NSW Government — Get Ready Animals**

NSW · Reviewed 14 Oct 2026

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.

[Open official resource — NSW Government — Get Ready Animals](https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/get-ready/get-ready-animals)

**NSW SES — household pets emergency planning**

NSW · Reviewed 14 Oct 2026

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.

[Open official resource — NSW SES — household pets emergency planning](https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/animal-safety/plan-for-your-household-pets)

**NSW SES — assistance animals emergency planning**

NSW · Reviewed 14 Oct 2026

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.

[Open official resource — NSW SES — assistance animals emergency planning](https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/animal-safety/plan-for-assistance-animals)

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](/bird-flu). 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](/warnings) · [Household plan](/prepare) · [Accessible planning](/accessible-help).