Preparing for Cyclone Alfred: Resources for animal owners and veterinarians
06 Mar 2025
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes its way towards the east coast of Australia, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is sharing resources with veterinarians and animal owners, to help with preparations.
The latest update from the Bureau of Meteorology (Friday 7 March, 4pm), predicts the Category 2 cyclone is set to impact Queensland and northern New South Wales at around midday of Saturday 8 March, with up to 800 millimetres of rainfall, flash flooding and strong winds expected. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of animals during this challenging time, AVA has compiled essential resources and guidance to assist with disaster preparedness and response. Support for members is also available, with contact details listed below.
Stay updated with the latest government advice by regularly checking disasterassist.gov.au.
Resources for veterinarians:
- Preparing for an emergency: https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/natural-disasters/Preparing-for-an-emergency/
- Flood and storm resources for veterinarians to assist during and following natural disasters. https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/natural-disasters/flood-and-storm-resources/
- NSW Government Disaster Recovery Arrangements and Supports https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery
- Preparing animals for an emergency: https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/natural-disasters/Preparing-for-an-emergency/
- Disaster assistance for Queensland businesses: For business | Queensland Rural and Industry Development
- Guide for making insurance claims in a disaster: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/resources/guides/guide-making-insurance-claims
- Get back to business - a guide to recovering from a disaster: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/resources/guides/get-back-business-guide-recovering-disaster
- NSW Agricultural & Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA): https://www.nsw.gov.au/rescue-and-emergency-management/supporting-plans/agriculture-and-animal-services or call on 1800 814 647. More information.
Welfare calls and counselling support:
AVA Member Services are here to support members and will be in contact with members affected by the cyclone.
Member Services: members@ava.com.au or telephone 1300 137 309 (8.30am – 5pm AEDT weekdays)
Additionally, the AVA’s free and confidential telephone counselling service can be accessed by AVA members and their immediate families, along with any veterinary professionals that work for an AVA member vet – even if they are not members themselves.
The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is run by Converge International, Australia’s largest workplace mental health provider.
The counselling service is completely confidential. To access the AVA’s telephone counselling service, call 1300 687 327 or visit this link for further information
Emergency Contact Numbers
Police, fire, ambulance: 000
SES: 132 500
Non urgent medical help: 13 43 25 84
Non urgent police link: 13 14 44
Energex: 13 19 62
Ergon energy: 13 16 70
NSW DPI emergency hotline: 1800 814 647
Biosecurity Qld - stranded livestock: 13 25 23
RSPCA QLD 24/7 animal emergency :1300 264 625
RSPCA NSW animal emergency: 1300 278 3589