Pet cyclone protection saves human lives, says expert
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As the cyclone season begins across northern Australia, policy makers around the country are being urged to prioritise companions and animals in preparing for natural disasters.
Laura Maloney led the animal rescue effort in New Orleans three years ago following Hurricane Katrina, saving 15,000 pets.
As keynote speaker at the Australian Institute of Animal Management conference today in Darwin, she's calling for animals to be included in all disaster management plans.
"We certainly learned that pets are important members of the family, and 44 per cent of those people that said that they would not leave said that's because of their pets, they wouldn't leave their pets behind, whereas 18 per cent said they wouldn't go because of family.
"So clearly pets play an important role in the family."
The member for Brennan and former dog catcher Peter Chandler agrees.
"If an agency's mandate is to save human lives, they need to cater for companion animals.
"If they don't, they won't be able to save human lives.
"But I don't see any indications in any of our emergency evacuation plans that include animals."
