10 COMMUNITY ANIMAL WELFARE FOOTPRINTS
>>> Contingency planning: A guide to good practice
Andrew Bruce, Civil Protection Officer
Tel: 01179 224692
Email: andrew.bruce@bristol gov.uk
Bristol City Council
Operation Gold Paws
In 2013 Bristol City Council maintained their grip on
the coveted gold Contingency Planning Footprint.
The local authority have a full pack of guidance for local
residents on how to protect their pets during a disaster
They have also run, for the last few years, precisely
planned exercises that consider animals as part of
the process.
The Council maintained this attention to detail in 2013
with a live exercise called 'Operation Gold Paws'.
This was specifically designed to trial the council rest
centre and animal welfare plan, using volunteers in
different roles to test how staff responded to pets on
arrival at the rest centre. The other focus of the
exercise, to assess the information-gathering process,
captured information such as the potential longer-
term accommodation needs of the evacuees and
their animals.
Bristol City Council worked with different agencies to
put the operation together; this is a good model for
multi-agency partnership working in contingency
planning exercises. In addition to working with the
RSPCA, other organisations involved Guide Dogs for
the Blind and HorseWorld. Even a duck was included
as part of the exercise! The volunteers were given
different scenarios to present to staff, who were able
to collect useful feedback at the end of the session
that identified areas for improvement.
Operation Gold Paws achieved its objectives in
challenging council staff to consider the ways in
which they provide care for animals in addition to
the human evacuees.
Involving animal welfare organisations in
contingency exercises and planning meetings
There are many different organisations that can assist with
planning meetings and exercises including national and local
animal welfare charities. The RSPCA is unique in its ability to
be first responders, however many other organisations may
be able to assist with shelter for animals. Additionally, such
organisations may be able to assist by providing volunteers
and staff to help with a live exercise. Bristol City Council has
specific questions and scenarios that are given to volunteers
in live exercises as demonstrated by the case study below.
The RSPCA would encourage any tabletop or live exercise
in civil contingency planning to include an animal welfare
element, regardless of the scenario. It is estimated that 46
percent of households have pets
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, so in any situation it is
likely that animals will need to be evacuated. The Emergency
Response and Recovery Guidance to the Civil Contingency
Act 2004 does not specify a time frame for exercises to
be conducted, but does suggest that the plans be
reviewed regularly.
The RSPCA fully appreciates the pressures on budgets, and
that it is increasingly difficult to carry out such exercises.
However, silver CAWF award holders carry out at least one
tabletop or live exercise every year and gold award holders
carry out a live exercise every two years. Preparation involving
animal welfare will enable operational staff to be more flexible
when setting up an emergency reception centre. Clearly, such
practice is not only beneficial for dealing with animals but will
enable staff to deliver the service more smoothly.
Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary