Submission by the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inc. on the National Disaster Resilience - NZ Parliament
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Submission by the Royal New
Zealand Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Inc. on the
National Disaster Resilience
Strategy
February 2019Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2
SPCA and its role within Civil Defence Emergency Management ............................................ 2
Inclusion of animals in the National Disaster Resilience Strategy ........................................... 3
Priority 1 – Managing Risks ................................................................................................ 5
Priority 2 – Effective Response to and Recovery from Emergencies ................................... 6
Priority 3 – Enabling, Empowering, and Supporting Community Resilience ........................ 7
Risks to our wellbeing and prosperity ................................................................................ 9
Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 10
SPCA proposed additions to the Strategy............................................................................. 11
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 17
References .......................................................................................................................... 19
Page 1 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019Introduction
The following submission is made on behalf of The Royal New Zealand Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (referred to as SPCA).
SPCA is the preeminent animal welfare and advocacy organisation in New Zealand. The Society
has been in existence for over 140 years with a supporter base representing many tens of
thousands of New Zealanders across the nation.
The organisation includes 39 Animal Welfare Centres across New Zealand and over 70
inspectors appointed under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
SPCA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the revised National Disaster
Resilience Strategy. This submission from the SPCA contains general information and
amended specific recommendations to reflect the changes that our organisation feels need
to be made to the updated version of the National Disaster Resilience Strategy.
SPCA and its role within Civil Defence Emergency Management
The Director’s Guidelines to ‘Welfare Services in an Emergency’ outlines the roles and
responsibilities of various organisations in an emergency. Under these arrangements, during
an emergency, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the lead agency responsible for the
Animal Welfare Services Sub-Function which operates under the Welfare Function of the Civil
Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Framework. SPCA is a support agency that operates
as part of that sub-function. SPCA, along with several other organisations, works with and
supports MPI with its responsibilities under the sub-function during an emergency.
As described in the Director’s Guidelines to ‘Welfare Services in an Emergency’, the role of the
Animal Welfare Services Sub-Function group is to help provide for the needs of animals when
Page 2 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019their owners (or persons in charge) are not able to do so themselves due to the consequences
of an emergency.
However, it continues to be essential that all owners of animals, or persons in charge of them,
must prepare in advance for the needs of their animals to be met in case of an emergency
situation, as their duty of care remains despite the potential circumstances. To this end, it is
important that emergency preparedness for animals takes place alongside standard
emergency planning in households, businesses and government.
Inclusion of animals in the National Disaster Resilience Strategy
The inclusion of animal welfare as a sub-function within the CDEM Framework was an
important milestone. However, the current revised version of the National Disaster Resilience
Strategy shows that there is still insufficient acknowledgement of the importance of providing
for the needs of animals within disaster management and response planning. SPCA supports
the work of the New Zealand Government to properly prepare for future emergencies, as well
as the formulation of a National Disaster Resilience Strategy, but submits that significant
improvements still need to be made to incorporate animal welfare preparedness and
response in the event of emergencies.
In general, SPCA supports the purpose, vision and goal of the proposed National Disaster
Resilience Strategy. However, the Society submits that the purpose of the Strategy described
on page 9 to “explicitly links resilience to the protection and growth of living standards for all
New Zealanders, and promotes a wide, whole-of-society, participatory and inclusive
approach” has not been met. Animals play a huge part in New Zealand culture, and our society
places great importance on the welfare of companion animals, farmed animals and those
confined in other institutions, such as zoos, aquaria and laboratories. In order to build a
resilient New Zealand, it is essential that domesticated and confined animals are included as
an essential feature of emergency management planning.
Page 3 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019A 2016 report from the New Zealand Animal Companion Animal Council (NZCAC) stated that
there are well over 4.6 million companion animals in New Zealand. Sixty-four percent of New
Zealand households are home to at least one companion animal, which is more than almost
any other country in the world (NZCAC, 2016). Only the United States has a marginally higher
percentage of companion animals in households at 65%.
Cats are the most popular companion animal in New Zealand, with 44% of households found
to be sharing their homes with at least one cat. This was followed by dogs at 28% of
households. New Zealanders overwhelming consider their companion animals to be members
of the family. This is true for 83% of people who own cats and 77% who own dogs. These
figures have remained this high since 2011 (NZCAC, 2016).
Farmed animals are equally important in New Zealand life. Farming is a huge part of the
economy in this country and millions of animals are relied upon to provide an income for
hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. In June 2017, there were stated to be 3,616,091
beef cattle, 6,529,811 dairy cattle, 27,526,537 sheep, 836,337 deer, 273,860 pigs and 43,684
horses in New Zealand (Stats NZ, 2017). Other farmed animals such as chicken, duck, rabbits,
alpaca, llama and goats also exist in large numbers across the country.
In addition, countless companion, farmed and wild animals are housed in other
establishments, such as laboratories, zoos and aquaria.
Each of the different species have different physical, health and behavioural needs, such as
environment and feed requirements. It became apparent to everyone involved in the rescue
and recovery operations during the Edgecumbe flooding that a huge range of species are kept
within New Zealand’s households alone: including cats, dogs, birds, turtles, guinea pigs, cows,
and pigs. The potential for disaster when large number of diverse animals need immediate
care or rescuing during or following an emergency is easy to imagine. If these factors are not
properly considered and catered for during the planning process, resources and agencies will
Page 4 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019be stretched beyond capacity and the demand for help will outstretch the nation’s ability to
cope.
The Strategy focuses on three priorities to improve the nation’s resilience to disasters: risk
reduction; building capability and capacity to manage emergencies; and enabling,
empowering, and supporting community resilience. SPCA, agrees with the priorities, but is
concerned that no consideration has been given within the document to: reducing the risks
posed to animals, ensuring that animals are properly catered for in emergency management
planning (both capacity and capability), and recognising that the inclusion of animals in these
measures is part of strengthening societal resilience.
Priority 1 – Managing Risks
None of the risk reduction strategies considered for New Zealand can claim to be
comprehensive if they do not include planning and preparing for animals in emergencies. The
human-animal bond is well established; failure to recognise the emotional bond between
many people and their companion animals has been found to have a significant impact during
many disasters (Darroch & Adamson, 2016). Humans have been known to risk their lives to
protect their animals or refuse to evacuate from danger without their animals (Hesterberg et
al., 2012). It is impossible to properly plan for risks to New Zealand as a nation without
including consideration of its animals across all spheres. For example, people living with
animals are likely to be more inclined to commit to disaster risk reduction if the needs of their
animals are included in the planning (Darroch & Adamson, 2016). As detailed in the Strategy,
environmental disasters affect all of society including animals. Therefore, emergency
resilience must be integrated into all parts of society, including animals that live in homes,
industries and institutions.
There is a large body of evidence demonstrating that providing for animals within the
planning, rescue and recovery of disasters is an integral component to ensure the safety of
Page 5 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019humans during an evacuation. In an emergency, saving animals also saves human lives. During
previous disasters, both in New Zealand and abroad, it has been found that people are more
likely to evacuate if they are able to take their companion animals (Hunt et al., 2012). Indeed,
human lives have been lost when animal owners have returned home prematurely to rescue
their animals (WSPA, 2014; Barlow & Shadwell, 2016). Refusal to allow companion animals to
be evacuated with their owners can lead to non-compliance with evacuation orders and
failure to evacuate, leading to greater risk of losing the lives of rescue workers (Irving, 2009;
Heath, 2001; Glassey, 2010; Fritz Institute, 2006). In August 2005, during Hurricane Katrina,
44% of people who did not evacuate decided not to do so in part due to not wanting to leave
a companion animal (Fritz Institute, 2006).
SPCA advocates that this section of the Strategy should include specific mention of the
importance of reducing the risks posed to animals by emergencies.
Priority 2 – Effective Response to and Recovery from Emergencies
There is no doubt that both humans and animals are affected by disasters. Therefore, it is
essential to construct an effective response to and recovery from emergencies which includes
animals across species and locations, such as on farms and within the home, industry and
institutions. Research shows that requiring people to evacuate without their animals can be a
traumatic experience for those people affected (Awadi et al., 2008). This is exacerbated when
adequate pre-planning has not been in place. For response and recovery efforts to be
comprehensive, animals must be included in the detailed planning of these tasks.
SPCA is disappointed that, at present, the provision of animal welfare in emergencies is largely
absent in the majority of CDEM planning. This was highlighted during the Ministry for Civil
Defence Emergency Management Conference that took place in Wellington in May 2018,
where there were very few references to animal welfare, nor the inclusion of animal welfare
in planning and preparedness. Although SPCA acknowledges that there is some work focusing
Page 6 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019on general emergency preparedness of the public, there is limited information regarding
preparedness for animals. SPCA submits that CDEM messaging around preparedness in
relation to animals must be strong, clear and consistent. There are simple actions that
members of the public can take in relation to their animals that will ensure a better
preparedness for disasters. Examples include having sufficient and suitable animal cages and
stored food, as well as having animals microchipped (and the microchip registered) or
otherwise properly identified. Such actions will help to ensure a more efficient emergency
response and enable quicker and easier reunification of displaced animals with their owners
post-emergency. Other response and recovery actions include ensuring that all types of
animals can be housed and fed when they have been displaced and ensuring that institutions
and establishments which contain large numbers of animals have sufficient planning for
disasters requiring relocation or recovery.
SPCA advocates that this section of the Strategy should include specific mention of the
importance of ensuring that animals are properly catered for in emergency management
planning (both capacity and capability).
Priority 3 – Enabling, Empowering, and Supporting Community Resilience
Animals play an important role across all sections of society. Part of the emergency
management plan of New York reads: "It is clear through analysis of these local and national
disasters that planning for animal welfare is planning for human welfare." (State of New York,
2010). Many instances have been recorded where people have died while attempting to save
their animals during disasters (Thompson, 2013). A range of different animal species are
considered to be important members of the family and, as such, people are often very hesitant
to leave them during a crisis (Irvine, 2009; Glassey, 2010). It is no surprise, therefore, that
there are significant negative psychological effects on the owner if an animal is left behind
and/or killed during an emergency (Edmonds & Cutter, 2008; Gerwolls & Labott, 1994; Hunt
et al., 2008; Leonard & Scammon, 2007).
Page 7 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019Animals can also play a positive psychosocial role in helping people cope during an emergency
(Hunt et al., 2008; Heath, 1999; Glassey, 2010). When an animal dies as a result of a negative
occurrence, it has been shown that the owner often feels as though they have lost a significant
source of emotional support, which further complicates their recovery from the event (Evans
& Gray, 2012). Ensuring that animals are properly catered for in disaster preparedness and
response will help to strengthen societal resilience to emergencies. Therefore, it is essential
that animals are included in planning and coordination measures in order to ensure effective
emergency management.
Due to the powerful connection many people have with animals, there is a significant risk of
generating negative domestic and international media if animals are not included in New
Zealand’s emergency management provisions. A recent example of this is the negative
attention that was produced when three cows were stranded during the 2016 earthquakes in
the Kaikoura region. The images of these cows quickly garnered concern on social and
traditional media, with many people focussed on their welfare and survival. During a time of
emergency, such as this, emotions are heightened, and societal interest increased. The three
cows in this case were rescued and the story ended happily but consider the impact on society
and the resilience of the nation, as well as the negative international publicity, had these cows
died or been euthanased. The story of the cows has since been made into a children’s book
called “Moo and Moo and the Little Calf too”, which further demonstrates the nation’s
interest and empathy for animals during times of crisis.
SPCA advocates that this section of the Strategy should specifically recognise that the inclusion
of animals in emergency management measures forms part of the requirement to strengthen
societal resilience.
Page 8 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019Risks to our wellbeing and prosperity
Section 3 of the Strategy explains that New Zealand is committed to the Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Sendai Framework promotes three key ideas:
• 1. A greater effort to understand risk (in all its dimensions), so that we can prioritise
investment, make better risk-informed decisions, and build resilience into everyday
processes.
o To understand the extent of the risks that arise during an emergency, it is
essential to appreciate the human-animal bond and understand the
importance of animals within society. When this is not considered, the risk to
human lives increases. For example, some people are prepared to risk their
own lives for the sake of animals and many more will refuse to evacuate if
adequate provision is not made for their animals. In addition, there is a
significant economic risk to the country, particularly within the agricultural
sector, if the lives of large numbers of farmed animals are lost. One of the
Sendai Framework goals (goal 3) is to reduce disaster economic loss in
relation to gross domestic product (GDP). This cannot be done if the risk to
animals (which is a large portion of the New Zealand GDP) is not considered.
• 2. A shift of focus from managing disasters to managing risk, including to reduce the
underlying drivers of risk (exposure and vulnerability).
o Due to the vast numbers of animals across all spheres of New Zealand life, the
exposure and vulnerability to risk is huge when animals are not considered in
emergency preparedness. It is essential that potential risks to animals are
considered alongside direct risks to humans; there are many aspects that
factor into ensuring a prosperous and happy nation.
• 3. A broader ‘whole of society’ approach to risk – everyone has a role in reducing and
managing risk.
Page 9 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019o SPCA advocates that everyone must consider what role they could have in
reducing and managing the risks associated with the animals who are part of
their lives. Although animals are not able to take on responsibilities in an
emergency situation, they are part of society, and so must be protected and
planned for accordingly. This is the same for other members of society who
are unable to take care of themselves; those responsible for vulnerable
humans play an important role in reducing and managing risk on behalf of
those vulnerable persons. The situation for animals parallels this requirement
to reduce and manage risks for vulnerable people. There is a culture in New
Zealand to help one another. This attitude shows the nation’s ability and
desire to step forward and embrace animals in emergencies as a ‘whole of
society’ issue.
SPCA advocates that Section 3 of the Strategy should specifically recognise that animals fall
within each part of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
Objectives
SPCA agrees in principle with the objectives and success factors detailed in the Strategy.
However, once again, it is disappointing to see animals omitted from much of this important
part of the document. There is a myriad of places where animals should be considered in these
sections. Some examples are listed here:
• Objective 6: “Understand the economic impact of disaster and disruption, and the
need for investment in resilience. Identify and develop financial mechanisms that
support resilience activities.” It is important that issues involving animals are properly
considered within the analysis of costs of disasters and disruption. This must include
the economic impact on society when people lose or are parted from animals in their
care. The most obvious cost is the financial loss when farmed animals are killed due
Page 10 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019to an emergency, but there is a broader scope which includes a wider range of species;
for example, a person’s emotional wellbeing and resilience to a disaster may be
affected by the loss of an animal (Thompson et al., 2014; Evans & Gray, 2012) which
may affect their health or ability to work effectively.
• Objective 7: “Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of people is at the heart of the
emergency management system.” It is stated that this Objective is successful when
there are renewed levels of trust and confidence in the emergency management
system. SPCA submits that levels and trust and confidence from the public will not be
high if they cannot see that the emergency management system recognises and
responds to the whole of society, which includes ensuring and encouraging the safety
and wellbeing of animals.
• Objective 13: “Enable and empower individuals, households, organisations, and
businesses to build their resilience, paying particular attention to those people and
groups who may be disproportionately affected by disaster.” As noted in the measure
of success for this Objective, emergency preparedness needs to become part of
everyday life. Because animals play such a huge part of everyday life, it is impossible
to achieve this goal without ensuring that animal preparedness is promoted and
enacted.
SPCA advocates that reference to the need to provide for animals in emergency preparedness
must be included within the relevant objectives and success factors detailed in the Strategy,
particularly those sections listed above.
SPCA proposed additions to the Strategy
SPCA advocates that reference to animals can and should be included throughout the Strategy
document. Examples are given (highlighted in red) below:
Page 11 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019• Foreword (page 1). “It seeks to enable and empower communities everywhere to take
action to look after themselves and others (including animals) in times of crisis, while
still ensuring strong local, regional and national leadership and support when
needed.”
• Executive Summary (page 2). “Given our risk landscape, and the uncertainty of the
wider domestic and global environment, it is important for us to take deliberate steps
to improve our resilience and protect the prosperity and wellbeing – of individuals,
communities, businesses, our society, our animals, the economy, and the nation as a
whole.”
• Executive Summary (page 2). “All readers of this Strategy are encouraged to consider
that the priorities and objectives mean for them, their family/whanau, their animals,
business or organisation, community/hapu, and what they can do to contribute to
their own resilience or the resilience of others (including animals).”
• National Disaster Resilience Strategy (page 3). Objective 7. “Ensure that the safety and
wellbeing of people and animals is at the heart of the emergency management
system.”
• National Disaster Resilience Strategy (page 3). Objective 13. “Enable and empower
individuals, households, organisations and businesses to build their resilience, paying
particular attention to those people and groups who may be disproportionately
affected by disaster, including animals.”
• Key Terms (page 6). Exposure – “People, animals, infrastructure, buildings, the
economy and other assets that are exposed to a hazard.”
• Key Terms (page 7). Wellbeing – “Our quality of life, including: civil and human rights,
culture and identity, housing, knowledge and skills, leisure and recreation, material
standard of living, employment status and job satisfaction, the physical and natural
environment (including animals), safety and security, health and social connectedness
and the proven human-animal bond.”
• Purpose of this Strategy (page 10). 1.5 Intended audience and use of the Strategy.
Central government, local government, businesses, organisations and iwi – “can use
Page 12 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019it to guide them in building resilience both for their own organisation, and for the
people, animals and communities they support or provide services for.”
• Purpose of this Strategy (page 10). 1.5 Intended audience and use of the Strategy. “All
readers are encouraged to consider what this Strategy means for them, their
family/whanau, community or hapu, business or organisation, animals in their care,
and what they can do to contribute to their own resilience or the resilience of others.”
• Protecting our wellbeing and prosperity (page 11). First paragraph “It is about a
healthy and happy life, a good education for our children, a healthy environment that
protects our natural resources (including domestic, farmed and wild animals) and
taonga, family/whanau and communities we can rely on, a safe place to live and work,
opportunities to start a business or get ahead and the freedom to be who we want to
be.”
• Protecting our wellbeing and prosperity (page 12). “Wellbeing - Our quality of life,
including: civil and human rights, culture and identity, housing, knowledge and skills,
leisure and recreation, material standard of living, employment status and job
satisfaction, the physical and natural environment (including animals), safety and
security, health and social connectedness and the human-animal bond.”
• Risks to our wellbeing and prosperity (page 13). Second paragraph “More than that,
these events have caused untold suffering and social disruption to individuals,
family/whanua, communities, hapu and animals, the effects and costs of which we
might never fully know.”
• Risks to our wellbeing and prosperity (page 13). 3.1 What is disaster risk? Exposure –
“Refers to people, animals, infrastructure, buildings, the economy and other assets
that are exposed to a hazard.”
• A resilient future (page 19). 4.2.4 Model of a resilient nation: protecting our capitals
from shocks and stresses. Resilience of the natural environment – “Including the
sustainable use of natural resources, land-use, and ecological system; managing long-
term climate resilience, and improving understanding of both how hazards impact the
Page 13 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019environment, people and animals and how the environment can protect society from
hazards.”
• A resilient future (page 20). 4.2.4 Model of a resilient nation: protecting our capitals
from shocks and stresses. “Can manage its natural assets: it recognises the value of
natural resources (including animals) and indigenous ecosystems, and has the ability
to protect, enhance, and maintain them.”
• A resilient future (page 22). 4.4.1 Resilience and disabled people. Third paragraph.
“The New Zealand Disability Strategy promotes a twin-track approach to inclusion:
ensuring that all mainstream services are inclusive of, and accessible to, disabled
people and their service animals, and ensuring that there are disability-specific
specialised support or services for those who need them.”
• A resilient future (page 22). 4.4.1 Resilience and disabled people. Preparedness.
“Supporting the design and implementation of resilience-focused emergency
preparedness that includes disabled people, their service animals, their
family/whanau, caregivers and key people and/or groups in their community.”
• A resilient future (page 22). 4.4.1 Resilience and disabled people. Final paragraph. “In
addition to these, it is important that emergency managers, emergency responders,
and those supporting communities generally, are aware of and competent in
disability-inclusive planning, response and recovery so that disabled people can
participate in resilience, response and recovery on the same basis as others and that
their service animals are included in planning, response and recovery.”
• Vision of a resilient New Zealand (page 25). Sixth paragraph. “Response to
emergencies is characterised by an end-to-end system that supports cooperative and
coordinated emergency management, and timely, accurate and relevant information
that enables the public to understand the situation and take action to protect
themselves and others (including animals for whom they are responsible), and limit
damaging costly flow-on effects.”
• Effective response to and recovery from emergencies (page 29). Second paragraph.
“This is when we have most at risk, when human and animal suffering is potentially at
Page 14 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019its greatest, and when there is more threat to our property, assets, and economic
wellbeing.”
• Effective response to and recovery from emergencies (page 29). Fourth paragraph.
“Both hold the opportunity to minimise impacts, limit the suffering of individuals,
families/whanau, communities, hapu and animals, manage risk, and build in resilience
for an improved future.”
• Effective response to and recovery from emergencies (page 29). Sixth paragraph.
“Globally, we see the impact of tsunami, pandemics, industrial accidents, terrorism
incidents and other hazards that cause serious harm to people, animals, environments
and economies.”
• Effective response to and recovery from emergencies (page 29). Final paragraph. “In
particular, it aims to modernise the discipline of emergency management and ensure
that, locally, regionally, and nationally, we are ‘fit-for-purpose’, including address
some of the emerging issues of maintaining pace with media and social media,
responding to new and complex emergencies, and the type of command, control and
leadership required to ensure rapid, effective, inclusive and compassionate response
and recovery factoring in the needs of both people and animals.”
• Effective response to and recovery from emergencies (page 30). Objective 7. “Ensure
that the safety and wellbeing of people and animals is at the heart of the emergency
management system.”
• Enabling, empowering and supporting community resilience (page 31). Final
paragraph, add the following sentence at the end of the paragraph. “Animals are a
huge part of New Zealand society and culture, and as such, animals living under the
care and control of people must be considered in all aspects of emergency
management.”
• Enabling, empowering and supporting community resilience (page 32). Objective 13.
“Enable and empower individuals, households, organisations and businesses to build
their resilience, paying particular attention to those people and groups who may be
disproportionately affected by disaster, including animals.”
Page 15 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019• Enabling, Empowering and supporting community resilience (page 32). Objective 18.
Add the following sentence at the end of the paragraph on what success looks like, by
2030. “There is understanding of the importance of ensuring the human-animal bond
and how animals are a part of New Zealand culture and maintaining the needs of all
animals who live under the care and control of people during emergencies.”
• Appendix 1: Individuals and families/whanau (page 39). Understand your risk. “Be
aware of the hazards or disruptions you could experience, your exposure – the things
you have that are at risk from those disruptions, and your vulnerability – how you,
your things and those dependant on you, such as animals, might be adversely
affected.”
• Appendix 1: Individuals and families/whanau (page 39). Plan for disruption. Add the
following sentence at the end of the paragraph. “How would you provide for the
needs of your animals? If you need to evacuate in an emergency, you should take your
animals with you and ensure that their needs can be met.”
• Appendix 1: Businesses and organisations (page 40). Understand your risk. Add the
following sentence at the end of the paragraph. “Do you have other dependants such
as animals?”
• Appendix 2: Analysis of our current state as a baseline for this Strategy (page 45).
Barriers to resilience. What is limiting our resilience? Add the following sentence as
point 8. “We are only beginning to understand the importance of animals in many
people’s lives and appreciate the risks that humans will take to ensure the safety of
animals, even in an emergency situation. The bond between people and animals
means that saving animals in an emergency will also save human lives.”
• Appendix 2: Analysis of our current state as a baseline for this Strategy (page 46).
Opportunities. Point 9. “We are ambitious, innovative, motivated and informed: we
can lead the world in our approach to resilience setting examples for how to look after
all of those in our care, which includes people and animals.”
Page 16 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019SPCA advocates that all of the amendments suggested in red writing in the section above
should be made to the Strategy.
SPCA agrees that a broad range of stakeholders need to be involved in the governance of this
strategy and submits that this must include representatives of those working in the animal
welfare sector.
Conclusion
SPCA strongly advocates that the revised National Disaster Resilience Strategy must be
amended further so that it includes additional references to animals throughout. It is essential
that companion and farmed animals, along with those confined in captivity across all
establishments, are included in disaster risk reduction strategies. In an emergency, the
inclusion of animals and animal welfare in planning, response and recovery is important to
ensure human wellbeing and safety, along with economic benefits. Therefore, it is vital that
preparations to ensure animal welfare during disasters is properly included in the next version
of this Strategy and within other documents or plans relating to emergency management.
SPCA is concerned that, at present, the provision of animal welfare in emergencies is severely
under-resourced and under-prepared. This means that any response which may take place is
often limited in scope and inconsistently delivered. Significant lessons can be learnt from
previous emergencies, both in New Zealand and abroad. Addressing these issues will help to
achieve improved evacuation compliance and to enable a more efficient, effective and
coordinated response which adequately addresses the safety and welfare of animals and, in
turn, provides for the safety, wellbeing and financial security of people.
SPCA is supportive of the changes that have taken place in the revised National Disaster
Resilience Strategy; however, we feel strongly that many more amendments must be made
to include specific advice and information regarding the management of animals in
Page 17 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019emergencies in order to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to disaster resilience
and emergency management in New Zealand. The recent fires in Nelson and the need for
substantial widespread efforts to support animals during this emergency shows how essential
preparedness for animals is at times of crisis.
SPCA appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the updated version of the National
Disaster Resilience Strategy and would welcome further engagement on this issue. We note
that we had only a few days to review the updated version of the Strategy and put forward
our outstanding concerns. If any additional information is required, the Society is happy to
discuss this matter further.
Page 18 of 22
SPCA submission on the National Disaster Resilience Strategy – February 2019References
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