The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading a national effort to increase the number of New Zealanders trained to care for and handle companion animals during civil defence emergencies.

“About two thirds of New Zealand homes have at least one companion animal, such as a dog, cat, or bird,” MPI’s team leader for animal welfare emergency management Gina Kemp.

“In emergencies, people are often reluctant to evacuate if they are not able to take their pets. This can put their lives in danger and those of emergency responders.

“MPI is partnering with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to deliver 13 two-day training workshops across the country to help grow skills and capacity among councils, government agencies, zoos, wildlife parks, and iwi organisations.

“The first workshop is being held in Wellington on 13-14 July 2024 and is fully booked.

“Through training provider Fire Rescue and First Response, participants will be taught an NZQA-registered unit standard on providing companion animal welfare during a civil defence emergency.

“A key part of the training will be to teach organisations how to set up temporary animal shelters, such as the facility operated at the Hastings Racecourse to care for companion animals, wildlife, and horses during Cyclone Gabrielle. It’s where we were first introduced to IFAW’s Oceania team who were supporting the shelter’s operations.

“Existing shelters and pounds are regularly full. These workshops will increase knowledge among people running evacuation centres during civil defence emergencies to handle animals.

“That includes training on preventing injuries and the spread of diseases, such as those that can be transmitted between animals and people.”

IFAW says emergencies can be stressful for people and their pets.

“Our partnership with MPI will help reduce barriers to people taking their companion animals to evacuation centres or shelters during emergencies while improving animal welfare outcomes,” IFAW’s animal rescue programme officer Robert Leach says.

“We will share our experience and case studies gained from decades of IFAW leading disaster response efforts across the globe.

“Most recently we helped save pets and wildlife from Ukrainian war zones, wildfires in Greece, and floods in France, and we continually assist authorities and communities around the world to prepare for and respond to disasters.”

MPI has received almost 200 expressions of interest from people and organisations keen to take part in the workshops.

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