AENZ Patron Dr Steve Glassey has been working behind the scenes championing our refocus to save more animals through prevention. We know that responding alone, is not sustainable and is too late leaving animals dying and suffering needlessly. The future focus must be to prevent suffering and promoting animal-inclusive community resilience.
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience has released a groundbreaking handbook titled “Planning for Animals” as part of their Australian Disaster Resilience Handbook Collection. This comprehensive guide provides national principles and practices for disaster resilience, focusing on the planning and management of animals during emergencies. The handbook covers various aspects of animal welfare in disaster situations, including the significance of animals in Australia, the human-animal bond, and the importance of considering animals in emergency planning. Developed with input from a diverse group of experts, the guide addresses key concepts, roles and responsibilities, and legislative contexts related to animal welfare during disasters.
In a significant development for animal welfare in disaster management, Dr. Steve Glassey, Patron of Animal Evac New Zealand, has contributed his expertise to this landmark Australian handbook on planning for animals in emergencies. The “Planning for Animals” handbook is set to become a vital resource for emergency managers and animal welfare advocates alike, potentially influencing similar initiatives in New Zealand and other countries.
This collaboration highlights the growing recognition of the importance of including animals in disaster planning and response. The comprehensive guide covers crucial aspects such as the human-animal bond, assistance animals, and wildlife protection in the context of emergencies. As countries worldwide grapple with increasing disasters and their impact on both humans and animals, this handbook serves as a model for developing animal-inclusive emergency management strategies.
New Zealand, with its unique ecosystem and strong agricultural sector, could benefit significantly from adapting the principles outlined in this Australian publication to its own disaster preparedness framework. The handbook’s emphasis on proper planning to reduce risks for animals and its principles for effective animal-inclusive emergency management provide valuable insights that can be applied in various contexts.
Though Dr Glassey and others were contributors, a special acknowledgement by AENZ must be made to the project’s key members Dr Isabel Cornes, John Richardson, Dr Mel Taylor, Peta O’Donohue and Emma Barr who carried the burden of the work.
As the new handbook states “In Australia, there is no overarching national legal or policy arrangement for animals in emergencies”, New Zealand is a solid position given the review of the emergency management bill to create a world leading template for animal-inclusive disaster law. This is something that Dr Glassey has campaigned for since 2010.
By contributing to this important resource, Dr. Glassey and Animal Evac New Zealand have helped shape a publication that will undoubtedly influence animal welfare practices in disaster situations across multiple countries. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges of animal welfare during emergencies.
As probably the smallest charity present and with no staff, little Animal Evac New Zealand is major force for change on the global stage, posed to save millions of animal from disaster harm. As we receive no government funding, help us continuing our niche work by donating here or consider leaving a gift in your will.
