10/04/2026
With the upcoming storm on the way, now’s a good time to make sure you, your whānau, and your animals are prepared and safe 💛🐾
Here are a few simple things you can do now to get ready:
🌧 Have a plan
Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if you need to evacuate. If it’s safe, take your pets with you — don’t leave them behind if you can avoid it.
🐶 Prepare for your animals
Set up a safe, dry shelter area
Make sure pets and stock can be easily contained
Move livestock to higher ground if flooding is possible
💧 Food & water
If it’s not safe for you to drink, it’s not safe for your animals either.
Have clean water and enough feed ready, especially for vulnerable animals.
🚧 Check your property
Look over fences and gates
Make sure stock can access dry areas
Don’t open gates onto roads
⚠️ After the storm
Keep animals away from flood water — it can be contaminated.
Check them for injuries, as animals often hide pain.
❤️ Most importantly — stay safe
Look after yourself first, then your animals. Reach out for help if you need it.
For additional info and guidance, have a look at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ “Animals affected by flood” resource.
Take care out there everyone, and don’t leave preparations to the last minute. A little planning now can make a big difference later.
