ABSTRACT
The immediate relief and attention to animals during and right after disasters of shorter onset nature includes offering animal victims or animals in danger the following services: evacuation, shelter, water and food, first veterinary aid and animal–human bond. Pet animals are often not allowed entry into human shelters, normally on sanitation and human health grounds, and this often drives human behaviour contrary to the wider rescue effort. The most treatment-intensive temporary shelter for wild animals occurs during oiled bird and marine mammal rehabilitation projects, controlled and handled by specialised groups. Rescued wild animals may need fruit, vegetables or meat, depending on their diet. It is important to consider that some wild animals' diets are highly specialised, and more generalised offerings of food for them can lead to either refusal to eat or significant gastro-intestinal distress. This chapter explores the principles for consideration when engaging in an aid mission for post disaster affected animal populations.
