AVERT: the nationwide community of 'emergency-ready' veterinarians and veterinary nurses

As we face another potentially severe bushfire season, there is an understandable tendency to feel powerless and helpless. However, as vets and vet nurses, we have a great opportunity to expand and refine our skills and knowledge to enable us to be part of an effective veterinary response following natural disaster.

One of the most important things you can do is register as a member of Vets Beyond Border’s (VBB) Australian Veterinary Emergency Response Team (AVERT). You will be asked to provide details of relevant training and experience, including whether you are licensed to use firearms or tranquilliser rifles. This information is crucial to ensure deployment of volunteers with appropriate experience to specific situations. To date, over 2,400 veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary students have signed up.

When VBB gets the call from state or territory emergency response coordinators, AVERT can be immediately activated, using the filtrable, confidential database established and maintained by VBB. Appropriately experienced volunteers are identified and a list is generated of those in the region of the fire.

Although the AVERT membership is large, only a small percentage will be available to volunteer their skills at any one time. Equally, not all AVERT volunteers will be asked to deploy, but those who are, and can, will find the experience life changing.

“The importance of the role played by veterinarians and veterinary nurses in treating and rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife cannot be overstated,” said Dr Ian Douglas, VBB Chair. “Wildlife carers do an incredible job tending to injured and orphaned animals, but suitably trained and experienced veterinarians and veterinary nurses are needed both on the fire-ground and in triage settings”.

“In the response to the 2019/20 bushfires, AVERT members 'donated' 400 volunteer days, providing care to affected wildlife. Since that time, AVERT membership has increased by 26% - a clear demonstration of the willingness of the veterinary community to step up when disasters occur.”

Thanks to its partnership with WWF-Australia, VBB has been able to offer a training and resource package for vet clinics to better prepare veterinary professionals in the capture, treatment, and care of wildlife. Our Wildlife Care Everywhere collaboration provides access to Taronga’s Professional Veterinary Training in Wildlife Treatment and Care and AIIMS Awareness Training. These courses have helped ensure members have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in emergency responses, as well as the skills required to make a meaningful contribution. An ever-increasing percentage of AVERT volunteers have undertaken this training - making them emergency ready - with more than 350 enrolments in the courses to date.

The partnership has also enabled the purchase and distribution of tranquilliser dart rifles for sedation of animals, to allow humane handling and treatment. VBB's mobile clinic and triage kits are also being prepared for deployment. Outside of fire season, these resources will be on standby for other natural disasters and emergency animal disease outbreaks.

Dr Douglas added, “It is very pleasing to note the marked increase in the numbers of AVERT registered vets and vet nurses who have completed the recommended training courses. It is essential that volunteers are as well prepared as possible if they are to provide optimal care to affected animals, especially wildlife”.

Volunteering during the response to natural disaster isn't just an act of compassion; it's a vital service that will lead to significant improvement in the welfare and survival rate of animals following such events. 

It only takes a few minutes to register for AVERT and demonstrate your commitment to animal welfare and your community. If you’ve already signed up, please ensure your contact details are current, so no time is wasted if AVERT is called upon to assist this bushfire season.