1030am, 19 February 2019 - Day 15

The Ministry for Primary Industries is encouraging residents who have restricted access to their properties today to ensure they provide their animals with enough food and water for at least 2-3 days.

This is in case residents cannot get back to their animals for several days, if conditions change.

A team from MPI are rotating through the cordons today to assist residents if they have any concerns about their animal’s welfare. If an animal welfare officer is not there at the time, those staffing the cordon will have contact details for the officer covering your area, otherwise call us on 0800 008 333 option 4.

Where needed and where we can, our officers and vets are going back to properties to assess concerns for those residents and will facilitate the support you need.

Updates

We will be providing future updates on the animal welfare situation on an ‘as-needed’ basis.

We’re continuing to monitor the situation on the ground in Nelson, and work with Civil Defence to address animal welfare issues associated with the fires.

Showgrounds

The team at the Richmond Park Showgrounds continues to do a great job looking after evacuated animals. As of today, there are about 70 animals currently being cared for, including rabbits, birds, livestock, several day-stay dogs and a pheasant.

If you have to evacuate

If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you – if you can do so safely – or take them to friends, family, whanau or boarding facilities. If you are unable to find alternative accommodation for them, you can take them to the Richmond Showgrounds. Please do not leave animals in cars.

If you have to leave your animals behind, make sure they’re in a safe place, well away from any fire risk, such as a recently ploughed paddock.

Safer areas should be away from dense vegetation, scrub, bush or forest - anything that will fuel a fire. Safer areas should be fenced, have water supply, short pasture, and protection from radiant heat.

Ensure that any livestock left on your property have sufficient food and water for 2-3 days and that they have freedom to move to water.

We will be providing future updates on the animal welfare situation on an ‘as-needed’ basis.

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