Having information on companion animal populations is essential for animal population health and management program planning, but also essential in the event of emergencies like cyclones and flooding.
For many years, AMRRIC has worked with communities and local stakeholders to support animal health and welfare planning, preparedness, response and recovery for emergency events. Building on this work, recently, we’ve been fortunate to have support from the Australian Government and Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Risk Reduction Program to work with communities in West Arnhem Land, to undertake community-wide companion animal censuses, to help inform emergency event planning.
As part of this work, in May and June this year, AMRRIC staff members Dr Sophie, Dr Sarah, Rebecca and Jory, alongside dedicated Volunteers Luke, Sabina and Dr John , visited Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Minjilang, and Warruwi.
The AMRRIC team were also joined and assisted by West Arnhem Regional Council, the CDP, and the Bawinanga Rangers. Special thanks to Maminjina, Pauline, Cindy, Vicky, Felina, Sheldon and Sherrel.
During the visit the teams visited every house in each community, spoke with the owners about the project, recorded the animals, and offered anti-parasitic medications to treat for fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms to all the dogs and cats. They also provided on-the-ground training in disease surveillance to local collaborators, helping to build local animal health and biosecurity capacity.
The information collected during these censuses will now be analysed by AMRRIC’s animal management experts, and be available to help inform planning for future emergency events.
Big thanks to the warm welcome from all of the communities, as well as the awesome teams we’ve worked with throughout the region!
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