READY, PET, GO! — by RSPCA Tasmania
Emergency planning for pets and other animals in your care isn’t a luxury — it’s a responsibility.
Emergencies such as floods, bushfires, and severe storms can happen suddenly, often with little warning. Having a plan in place for your animals not only keeps them safe but also gives you confidence that your entire family — pets included — can evacuate quickly and safely when needed.
A Tasmanian-led National Initiative
READY, PET, GO! is a community preparedness program developed by RSPCA Tasmania and delivered in partnership with SES Tasmania, Tas Fire Service, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Program, and many dedicated external stakeholders across education, community, disability, and cultural sectors.
At its heart, READY, PET, GO! recognises the deep bond between people and animals — and the reality that many people delay or even refuse evacuation because they are worried about their pets. This program empowers pet owners to plan ahead, stay informed, and make safe, confident decisions when emergencies strike.
The READY, PET, GO! Toolkit provides free, easy-to-use resources that guide pet owners step-by-step through preparing, planning, and evacuating safely with their animals.
The Emergency ‘READY’ Wallet
At the centre of the program is the new READY, PET, GO! Emergency Wallet — a compact, water-resistant wallet designed to store each pet’s essential emergency information, including medications and care needs. The wallet is designed to accompany your pet during an emergency evacuation and ensure that first responders, evacuation centre staff, and carers have all the information they need to keep your animal safe.
Key features include:
- Pet photo frame for instant identification
- Document and medicine holder to store vital information and short term meds
- Water-resistant design, easy closure
- Magnetic strip with strong grip, ideal for attaching to your fridge, crates
- Multiple attachment points to connect wallet to leads, harnesses, or halters
- Glow-in-the-dark materials to ensure visibility during night evacuations or low-light conditions
- Instruction cards providing simple step-by-step guidance
Inside each wallet you’ll find:
- Pet Emergency ID Card for each animal
- Evacuation Plan Checklist
- Your emergency contacts plus statewide emergency management contacts
- Veterinary details, including microchip, vaccination and medical records, and medications
- Special needs information (behavioural, medical, dietary)
- Information for boarding, carer, emergency services and evacuation staff to quickly identify your pet and ensure their care and safety
Additional Toolkit Resources
READY, PET, GO! Vehicle Sticker
Features a QR code linking directly to the TasALERT website, giving you real-time access to emergency updates, road closures, evacuation centres, and weather warnings for your area.
READY, PET, GO! Brochure
The core guide to help you develop your pet emergency plan, outlining the simple steps to Get Ready. Get Pet. Go!
Don’t wait until it’s too late — start your plan today.
READY, PET, GO! — because every member of your family matters.
Enquiries contact:
Kerri Walsh
E: kwalsh@rspcatas.org.au
M: 0438 700 705
Stay Informed
Being aware of your situation allows you to make informed decisions about your safety and the safety of your pets and family and greatly increases the likelihood of you evacuating safely. The following links will take you to your State or Territory government emergency contacts:
Source: RSPCA Knowledge Base
