Woody the horse and Patch the dog will become familiar faces across social media platforms this summer, reminding Western Australians to include their companion animals, horses and livestock in household bushfire and emergency plans.
Woody the horse and Patch the dog will become familiar faces across social media platforms this summer, reminding Western Australians to include their companion animals, horses and livestock in household bushfire and emergency plans.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) digital campaign encourages animal owners to develop a Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies (PAWE) to respond to natural hazards, including bushfires, cyclones, floods, storms and heatwaves.
The 'Pause for your PAWE' animation across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube features Woody and Patch discussing the importance of owners planning ahead to help keep everyone safe.
A PAWE template, as well as a range of preparedness, response and recovery information is available on DPIRD's website.
DPIRD State Animal Welfare in Emergencies Coordinator Brett Hopley said it was important to take action and prepare now for WA's natural hazard season.
"Natural hazards can unfold unexpectedly and quickly so it is essential to develop and update a PAWE and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do," he said.
"The easy-to-use PAWE templates are a valuable tool to think ahead and document when you would evacuate, where you would go, how you would transport your animals and what supplies you would need.
"Writing down a plan and including it in the household survival plan, enables animal owners to make better decisions to protect the safety of residents and their animals.
"This is also the time to get essential items together and put them in an accessible place, including food, water, medications, leads, crates, identification information and transport equipment."
DPIRD's website also includes a range of factsheets with valuable preparedness advice, as well as specific companion animal PAWEs for cyclones, floods, storms and an Animal Plan Readiness Checklist.
Mr Hopley said in the event of a natural hazard emergency, it was critical not to leave it too late to implement emergency plans and risk the safety of animals and their owners.
"Animals can become stressed and behave differently in the event of a bushfire, storm or other emergencies and delaying evacuation can increase the risk to both animals and their owners so it's important to take action sooner rather than later," he said.
"Talk with family, friends or others who may be able to help care for or relocate your animals if needed.
"For horse and large animal owners who need to evacuate and leave their animals behind, we suggest owners open necessary internal gates but do not release their horses externally as they could pose a hazard to emergency services and evacuating community members."
Stay up to date during an emergency using the Emergency WA website or app , the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Facebook page , and listening to ABC Local Radio .
The 'Pause for your PAWE' animation, PAWE templates and further information are available on the DPIRD website dpird.wa.gov.au via the 'Animal welfare during bushfires' tab on the homepage.
