AVA NSW Division President September 2022 Update

A lot can happen in a month so I have only identified a few issues to highlight. In addition, we are continuing to work with the Department of Regional NSW in developing the policy for the engagement of private and other non-government veterinarians in an emergency response, both emergency animal disease and natural disasters. We will continue working to formalise the AVA liaison position, that was first employed during the March Northern Rivers Floods.

Emergencies
Were you aware that the week from 19th September to 26th September was Emergency Ready week (Get Ready week for those members in the State’s north). October is traditionally the start of storm and bushfire season and Councils, State Emergency Services, Rural Fire Services and agencies such as the Red Cross have produced website preparedness information and apps to support people, businesses and communities to develop and practice their emergency plan. The Blue mountains community have a 6 weekly planning workshop for preparedness. The Get Ready Animals site is specifically for animal owners.

But Mother Nature obviously has never read the script. The only thing that can be predicted is that we can’t predict what natural disaster is going to occur next or when. As I write this, the western rivers are approaching minor and major floods levels and Warragamba dam will probably spill again within the next few days, affecting the downstream communities.

How prepared is your veterinary practice? Does your practice business have a current emergency management plan? Is everyone in the practice aware of it and what they need to do if an emergency occurs? Have you done a practice run to see if the plan does work or to discover if there are any gaps you need to address. Can you get clinic supplies and other plans for business continuity. Do you have emergency power, water and communication. Is there an evacuation plan? Can you contact your clients if you have to close and redirect services. What will happen to patients and any boarded animals.

Graham Laurisden’s practice at Tully is situated in a Queensland Tropical Cyclone zone. He presented his practice’s emergency response plan and how it was put into practice at the AVPH/AVAWE/AVBC emergency workshop at this year’s annual conference. It was a superb example of how different members in a practice worked together during an emergency and how such a response can occur in stages, depending upon the worsening or resolving stages of a disaster. AVPH can be contacted for further information. The AVA website has a large number of useful resources under the Emergency Response site to assist in your planning. No excuse not to start.

Stray Animals
Back in 2017, local councils and their handling of stray animals was a hot topic for the Division. The results from a survey and a number of follow-up emails and direct conversations identified a number of councils ‘behaving badly’ in their interactions with veterinary practices. What is the current situation - improved, worsened, stayed the same. We would like to hear. We are running the survey again on the Get Involved site.

What have we done since 2017. We have developed open communication with the Office of Local Government (OLG) to address many of the issues you raised. Not just a talkfest but working together for solutions. These included:

• Developing a flow chart to allow veterinarians to report poor council practices involving stray animals (e.g. refusing to collect stray dogs and cats, unprofessional responses by council staff and rangers),
• Creating a new Pet Registry access computer program to reduce workload on veterinarians with priority development of a veterinary practice module (thank you to the vet practices involved in testing the working model) and automatic update of owner information through interaction with Service NSW... Unfortunately, after very impressive development o the working model, a change in government direction (OLG was incorporated into another Super Department) has caused all work on the program to slow. After an annoying hiatus with multiple changes in staff, the project is now back on track with the support of the Ministers of Consumer Services and Local Government.
• The Minister of Local Government personally intervening to demand improved performance in a council’s stray animal practices.
• Broadening access of the current companion animal database to veterinary practice staff (previously veterinarians only).
• Development of a Council cat management policy incorporating the AVA policy on the same subject.
• Review of existing OLG legislation to incorporate inclusion of veterinary involvement where previously this as not considered e.g. the replacement of the Impounding Act with the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) which now requires veterinary involvement in the assessment and euthanasia of stray livestock.
• Input into the current rehoming practices by Councils, including euthanasia rates and trends and the impact of breeding, desexing and rehoming practices. A major review is being conducted by an independent consultancy and the consultant has sought involvement from the AVA.

OLG has been very responsive to any issues raised by AVA, for example attending promptly to the unintended consequence arising from a recent Companion Animal Act amendment which required feral cats to be rehomed by veterinary practices providing boarding services to councils.

Sad News
I never thought that I would spend hours watching precision marching by people in uniform. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral signalled the end of an era and a personal loss to our Association’s Patron, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. I was fortunate to meet Her Royal Highness earlier this year at a Government House function attended by members from some of the 300 charities she supports as a Patron. She spent time to talk to everyone at the function. An amazing person. Our condolences.