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Caring for animals in bushfire season

Bushfires have continued to grow in frequency and intensity across Australia during the warmer summer months, as the hot, dry climate can allow fires to quickly spread out of control. Animals, from family companions to wildlife, horses and farmed animals, are among the most vulnerable when fires occur.

RSPCA Australia
Friday, 20 February 2026

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Bushfires have continued to grow in frequency and intensity across Australia during the warmer summer months, as the hot, dry climate can allow fires to quickly spread out of control. Animals, from family companions to wildlife, horses and farmed animals, are among the most vulnerable when fires occur.

The best chance of protection we can give animals when bushfires threaten is to plan early, planning early can save lives. Waiting until smoke is visible or embers are falling, leaves little time to act effectively, especially when animals are entirely dependent on human care. Read on for information to help you get through bushfire season safely.

Planning for companion animals

Bushfires can be a stressful event for animals, as loud noises, smoke, fire, unfamiliar environments and changes to routine can cause panic and distress. Having a thought-out and practiced plan for pets can go a long way in helping to keep them calm and reduce the impact of bushfires for them.

When preparing for bushfires, or any emergency event, having a detailed emergency plan for your companion animals is essential. First and foremost, consider where your animals will be, where they can be relocated, and how they will be transported. Where possible, plan for multiple routes in case some become impassable, and multiple evacuation locations in case some are impacted by fire. Locations may include a boarding facility, or a family member or friend located in a safe area. It’s important to keep in mind that premises may have specific requirements for animals, such as being a certain size or type of animal or appropriate containment. Ensure animals are up to date with vaccinations, and be sure to include vaccination records in your evacuation pack along with any supplies and medication your animal needs. Having up-to-date identification tags and is microchipped is also vital, as animals can become separated from their families during emergencies and having these details current will help make reuniting easier.

These decisions should be made well before fire season begins, and the evacuation route ideally rehearsed, so your animal is familiar with the process, and it can be carried out quickly under stressful circumstances.

Smoke affected areas

If your home may potentially be impacted by fires it is always advised to be prepared and leave early. If you’re located far enough away from a bushfire to remain safely at home (i.e., not bushfire threatened) there may still be the risk of smoke impact. If your area is smoke affected it’s still important to follow safety precautions. The smoke and pollution from bushfires can contain a mixture of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, and other pollutants like dust; all of which can be harmful. Just like humans, the lungs of companion animals (especially birds), farmed animals and wildlife can be significantly harmed by exposure to smoke and pollution from bushfires.

The most effective protection is to remain inside with your animals, never leave them outside. Doors and windows should be closed pre-emptively, and animals should be allowed outside only to toilet and at times when dust and smoke is reduced as much as possible. Provide extra sources of clean, fresh water close to where your animals are resting and monitor them closely for signs of exposure, particularly flat-faced breeds who may be at an increased risk of breathing difficulties. Signs to watch for include eye irritation, disrupted breathing patterns, coughing or gagging, reduced appetite, lethargy, disorientation or nasal discharge. If your animal shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What about horses and, hobby farm animals and farmed animals?

Animals who cannot be sheltered indoors such as horses and farmed animals are also at risk from smoke and heat. As with companion animals, planning in advance is crucial.

Firstly, determine well in advance which animals can be evacuated and plan your evacuation route, transport and destination accordingly.

For animals that can’t be evacuated, prepare a designated low risk, ‘safe’ paddock, which should be green (most likely in early summer) or well grazed, and not located near long grass or thick vegetation. The paddock should be large enough for animals to move freely, have plenty of access to reliable water supplies that don’t rely on electricity, be easy to access and well fenced. Water and feed availability is particularly critical, because access to properties after a fire may be restricted for some time. Ensuring enough water and feed is available for five-seven days is an important part of planning.

Animals evacuated early or left in well prepared paddocks often have a better chance of survival than those moved urgently during an active fire.

Horses are capable of avoiding bushfires if they have enough room to move freely and gallop in a large open space. If horses cannot be evacuated with you, as is often the case with farmed animals, move them in advance to a large, grazed paddock. Remove all gear to avoid potential injury or burns and never lock horses in a stable, holding yard or similar environment. The horses may panic and hurt themselves if confined and there is the added risk of the building catching on fire and trapping them inside.

As with companion animals, be sure to keep identifying information current, so that if lost they can be located and reunited with you as easily as possible. Horses should be microchipped and have a visible zip lock type tag on the mane or tail with relevant details about the horse and carer contact information. Farmed animals should have an NLIS tag.

After the fire has passed

After the bushfire has passed through, as soon as it is safe to access the area, assess your farmed animals and horses closely for injuries, burns or respiratory issues. Seek veterinary care as soon as possible if there are any indications of burns as the full severity of a burn can take days, even weeks, to become apparent and can be very painful.

Animals who survive and are in good health should be moved to a clean paddock or sheltered area with plenty of access to good quality feed and water and monitored closely. Those who are severely injured beyond recovery should be humanely euthanised to avoid further pain and suffering.

Preparedness is a duty of care

Bushfires are an unfortunate, unavoidable reality in much of Australia, but measures can be taken to reduce the risks. By including the animals in our care in our emergency plans, the impact to their safety, health, and welfare can be greatly reduced when fires threaten. Preparedness is not just practical; it’s an act of responsibility for the animals who rely on us for protection – early planning and preparation are critical for preserving both human and animal life.

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