Care for non-human animals during and after the 2019/2020 “Black Summer” bushfires in Australia

"In fighting these fires, authorities focused almost entirely on protecting human lives and property...The role of rescuing and caring for domesticated and wild animals fell almost entirely to community groups and individual carers, who stepped up to fill the gap at significant cost to themselves – financially, emotionally and sometimes even at a risk to their safety.The standard view in Australia is that only humans matter in the face of bushfires. While some guidance on disaster preparation talks about how to protect pets such as cats and dogs, wildlife carers, farmers and horse owners often found themselves facing incoming fires with little or no information or support."
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https://theconversation.com/as-the-black-summer-megafires-neared-people-rallied-to-save-wildlife-and-domestic-animals-but-it-came-at-a-real-cost-248432

"69% of Australian households own a pet.">>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/29/the-veterinarian-shortage-in-regional-australia-is-not-a-looming-crisis-were-already-in-it
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As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost

When authorities fight fires, they focus on human life and property. But animals are part of communities too – and disaster preparation should reflect this

The Conversation