Quake Shelters for Lost Pets Planned by Wellington... | Stuff.co.nz

KERRY MCBRIDE
METRO AND CAPITAL DAY REPORTER

Wellington's quake plans includes setting up shelters at bowling clubs for lost or abandoned animals.

Wellington City Council says lessons can be learnt from the Christchurch earthquake and overseas disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

In Christchurch hundreds of cats and dogs were lost after fleeing their homes in fear. Hundreds were abandoned by families who fled the city, either immediately, or in the months following as the housing crisis deepened.

In the days after the February quake, desperate pet owners broke through cordons to retrieve their animals.

Others were helped with pet food and veterinary supplies by a team of 12 from Wellington's SPCA sand Massey University's veterinary emergency response team. The combined team helped pet owners and urban search and rescue staff during their house-to-house checks.

In Wellington, an emergency management office has been developing animal welfare options with agencies such as the SPCA, and creating welfare centres in places such as bowling clubs or tennis courts.

Animal agencies and the Civil Defence Ministry would be involved in animal rescues, and there may be spaces set up where people can stay with their animals and continue to care for them.

Shipping animals out of the city may not be an option, as Wellington could be completely cut off in a disaster.

- ? Fairfax NZ News

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