Erica Honey Consulting

14/11/2025

A new book on Human Animal Interactions in crises and other disasters.

I am pleased to introduce my chapter
‘The Rise of Animal Emergency Management in Australia’. It has a veterinary theme and also explores the crucial role of Veterinary Professionals and One Welfare Social Workers (Veterinary Social Workers) in disasters. The chapter concludes with a list of recommendations underpinned by a disaster risk reduction and systems approach to resilience.

The changes we have seen in Animal Emergency Management in Australia are built on the work of many people and their organisations, they are the changemakers. We still have a long way to go, because it involves many stakeholders, systems and cultural change, but we are on the right track. A special mention to Drs Mel Taylor, Rachel Westcott, Kirrilly Thompson, Joshua Trigg, Hayley Squance PhD (EM) for your work and many, many more.

The chapter writing process was a good learning curve and a test of my growth mindset. I was happy to finally write more about my previous veterinary disaster and animal emergency planning research from 2011 and 2014. Thank you to Drs Teresa Collins and Steve Glassey, PhD GCTAE CEM FInSTR for your help in the honours and masters degrees. The chapter probably wouldn't have have happened without the skill sets you’ve taught me. I know its just a chapter but it's a goal I've completed.

A heartfelt thank you to the team especially Drs Haorui Wu, Kyle Breen, Sarah De Young, and the anonymous reviewers for the invaluable feedback and guidance. You know your stuff!

Yes there are many thank you’s because it takes a village and teamwork 💛

Congratulations 🎉 to all the authors.











Institute for Disaster Resilience
Sturt University
University
Macmillan

03/11/2025

For your clients:
Print the infographic from my website and put a poster up! Help your clients to get ready for emergencies and disasters.

They can get ready in three steps
1. Plan
2. Get your kits ready. They can use what they have at home. Sometimes they may need help with crates for small animals.
3. Practice.

Emergencies and disasters have ripple effects. Our level of preparedness impacts each other and our community’s resilience. This is why it’s so important to get ready together.

Link in Bio.

You’re welcome to use this infographic in your social media too! Just dm me and I’ll send it to you.

Need anything else? Let me know!

🐝
workshop

29/10/2025

Today we completed our third year of the Veterinary Disaster Exercise (tutorial) for the Vet101 unit at Murdoch University in the beautiful Boola Katitjin.

The veterinary and animal science students chose to focus on the role of a rural veterinary hospital as we navigated seven events during a bushfire.
We used examples of what other stakeholders were experiencing to grow situational awareness and respond and recover together.

This was the first time I'd met this group in person and they did really well after one animal emergency management lesson! Asking lots of questions and bouncing ideas.

At the end, we identified ‘lessons learned’ and they noted how important prevention strategies are. We tied in environmental sustainability themes. Taking a systems approach for disaster risk reduction for animals, people and the environment is essential for our resilience.

In two weeks, they'll complete their exams, answering a few questions on animals and disasters! Thank you to Dr Pete Irons and the team for supporting and including AEM in the veterinary curriculum. It's crucial for our veterinary sector and helps to grow our emergency preparedness culture!

17/10/2025

Yesterday I attended the Disaster Relief Australia & Shire of Mundaring disaster map walk (stakeholder group).

This is a different preparedness & resilience building experience. The stakeholders walked the map together ( in our socks) talking about the risks, challenges & opportunities. A large map also helps to recognise where you live & work, & what surrounds you e.g. dense national park forest.

We assessed areas of risk, & solutions informed by local knowledge. With the help of my friend Deb & a few locals, I was able to assess the Mundaring Animal Emergency Arrangements 👏 & identify areas impacting companion animals, horses, livestock & wildlife evacuation & centres. ‘Lovestock’ (companion farm animals) would also be identified with more data on hand.

As a group, we discussed the new statistic: 73% of Australian homes have one or more companion animals. That’s over 29,000 companion animals for this area! Plus wildlife such as endangered animals that need care & support. There’s more groups of animals to consider too!

We also discussed how the connection that people have with their animals, may cause a failure to evacuate. They may not have the crates they need, the float may be in disrepair. Emergency services want people to be safe, to do that we also need to consider animals. All kinds! People will risk their lives to save them, even if they aren’t the custodian.

Here’s a few notes I made:
🩺 We discussed the plannng & actions for animal stakeholders such as veterinary practices & wildlife facilities, what we COULD be doing alongside EM (in a more connected way). Start having those conversations. Bring more animal stakeholders to your EM events. They can help you.
🧠We are still growing an understanding as an emergency management community when addressing the needs of animals in emergencies. Some understand very well & others are still not sure.
🐷Not everyone realises that animals are sentient & have inherent value. People may be identify them as ‘Pork’ rather than the preferred ‘Pig’ or ‘Porcine’. Which demonstrates they are not just for ‘food’.
➕Whilst animals are acknowledged as part of the equation, we are still integrating them as part of our EM culture. (That’s ok we are on the right path, keep going!)
🗣️We are going to have challenging conversations & that’s ok. It’s going to build deeper resilience if we keep collaborating, & listen to each other. Maintain a growth mindset!

Today, the community will attend & go through the same process. What a fantastic learning experience for the Shire! Building even more connection.

Thank you for having me. Despite being very tired (it’s been a big month!) I had a big day of learning & enjoyed the conversations. Hearing all the perspectives !

Next week I’m taking my own advice & going on holidays !

13/10/2025

Thank you to The Bushfire Centre of Excellence DFES and the Shire of Mundaring for having us at the Community Day yesterday.

We had the opportunity to talk preparedness with the locals, and veterinary colleagues new and old, which was fantastic.

Veterinary teams:
In addition to the resources for veterinary professionals on the website, I have also added an emergency preparedness leaflet you can print for clients. I plan to grow these resources for you to share with your clients and team over time. Find more information at: https://ericahoneyconsulting.com

The goals is for all stakeholders to get ready, together.

Thanks again, we truly enjoyed it!

08/10/2025

Perth and surrounds: Visit my Animal and Veterinary Preparedness Stall at the Bushfire Community Day in Mundaring this Sunday, 12 October, 10am-3pm! We'll have:
🌟Animal emergency planning

🌟Demonstration kits

🌟Animal first aid/ CPR demonstrations and practice.

Plus, the animal passport stickers for the kids (or big kids). Book your FREE tickets at the link below. If you love animals, stop by and say hello!

DFES, in collaboration with the Shire of Mundaring, is bringing back the popular Bushfire Community Day.

04/04/2025

The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
Planning for Animals Handbook Showcase is now available on YouTube.
It includes five speakers:

John Richardson Introduction
Mel Taylor The Planning Handbook Overview at 4.15 mins
David King Animal Incident Operations at 25.30 mins
Erica Honey Veterinary Emergency Management at 42.40 mins
Fiona Ryan Wildlife and Captive Animals at 1 hour 1 minute

Watch the talk here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOA5xmW1ieY

Veterinary teams:
Get together and talk about planning arrangements with your community stakeholders.
Work towards:
-A veterinary practice plan, ensure your team members have plans at home too.
-A veterinary and animal community plan
-Local and district arrangements so the expectations are clear and gaps can be identified
-If you can assist with State or Territory arrangements e.g. tertiary veterinary hospitals.

This showcase launched the new Planning for Animals Handbook, the first national level guidance on planning for animals before, during and after disaster.Thi...

18/03/2025

🎙️Planning for Animals Handbook Showcase:

‘26 March 2025
1.00pm - 2.15pm AEDT

Join AIDR on 26 March 2025 as we launch the new Planning for Animals Handbook.
🐕 🐈‍⬛ 🐎 🐍 🦅 🦒 🐅 🐘🐄🐏

In this free webinar, we will explore the principles and strategic guidance on planning for animals in disaster.

Hear from 4 experts with a range of expertise in animal emergency management research, animal rescue and incident management, the veterinary sector, and zoos and wildlife rehabilitation.

This handbook is the first national level guidance on planning for animals before, during and after disasters’.

Register here:

https://afac.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VpJGbDiKRXyTTFkps0_K-Q #/registration

Post courtesy of Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

Fiona Ryan
Mel Taylor
David King
John Richardson

06/03/2025

Cyclone Alfred:
Emergency Resources for Veterinary Professionals:

Resources for veterinary hospitals
Ready, response and recovery

-Planning for Animals in Disasters Booklet: https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/handbook-animals-in-disaster/

-Preparing Your Veterinary Hospital Video 1 Hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAr13OxDKq4

-Wildlife: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/wildlife #:~:text=If%20you%20come%20across%20sick,ANIMAL%20(1300%20264%20625).
-Queensland Government, Animals in Disasters ( including livestock)
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/disaster/flood/during/animal-welfare

Preparing for Cyclone Alfred
https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/tropical-cyclone-alfred

Psychological support
-AVA Counselling Service

https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/how-we-help-you/emergency-help/ #:~:text=AVA%20Counselling%20Service&text=All%20calls%20are%20completely%20confidential,day%20on%201300%20687%20327.

-VNCA EAP Counselling helpline
https://www.vnca.asn.au/wellness-hub/member-assistance-program-eap/

-First Nations Support
https://www.13yarn.org.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAiaC-BhBEEiwAjY99qJ9qegChGzV6nknFAliLrAOhkoiqiY0eWyCMLngD6rM4C1ButXXMuhoCkjoQAvD_BwE

-Psychological Support for Veterinary Patients
Regular Referral to veterinary behaviourists or specialists in your area.

Touch base early for a potential influx of patients needing referrals.

-Redcross Coping with a crisis
https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/

-Redcross Resources for parents and (human) caregivers
https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/resources/resources-for-parents-and-caregivers/

Emergency Assistance

Triple zero (ooo) for life-threatening emergencies
(check if you need to dial a number before dialling an external line, if at work)

For repairs and assistance
-State Emergency Service 132 500
-Your insurer

Redcross Register. Find. Reunite
-Register that you're safe or find a loved one (human)
https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/

-Microchipping database as usual for animals and patients

Stay safe, we are thinking of you.

28/02/2025

New research survey for veterinary professional mental health in Australia!

All research on mental health in veterinary medicine is important yet we have limited research for veterinary nurses, technologists and veterinary technician specialists. Please fill it out.

I am glad to see the initial triage survey includes disasters and the potential impact on veterinary professionals at work and in our private lives. There’s a continuum there.

Joyce Lau will do brilliant work here, and it will help our veterinary community, and others in the future.

21/12/2024

Western Australia our Emergency WA app is ready!
-Find alerts and warnings
-Set up to ten custom watch zones -Receive instant notifications
-Call Triple 000.

Download it and be ready.

Remember that systems can be unavailable in big events, or our phones may not work e.g. they’re flat.

Have a back up: be ready to source information from your battery operated radio ABC local radio as the official station.

Always go to the source of truth.
Emergency WA, ABC 720 Perth local area, or DFES social media pages (for the hazards they manage).

Other Australian States and Territories can source their emergency alerts via National Emergency Management Agency ‘Prepare’.

https://www.nema.gov.au/prepare

We are ready when all of us prepare together.
We’re setting up our apps today at home.