Abstract
We report on the various responses in Australia during 2020 to minimize negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of animals. Most organizations and individuals with animals under their care had emergency preparedness plans in place for various scenarios; however, the restrictions on human movement to contain the spread of COVID-19, coupled with the economic impact and the health effects of COVID-19 on the skilled workforce, constituted a new threat to animal welfare for which there was no blueprint. The spontaneous formation of a national, multisectoral response group on animal welfare, consisting of more than 34 organizations with animals under their care, facilitated information flow during the crisis, which helped to mitigate some of the shocks to different organizations and to ensure continuity of care for animals during the pandemic. We conclude that animal welfare is a shared responsibility, and accordingly, a multisectoral approach to animal welfare during a crisis is required. Our experience demonstrates that to safeguard animal welfare during crises, nations should consider the following: a national risk assessment, clear communication channels, contingency plans for animal welfare, a crisis response group, and support systems for animal care providers. Our findings and recommendations from the Australian context may inform other countries to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised during the course of unpredictable events.
Highlights
In early 2020, humanity faced an almost unprecedented situation when a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, causing a disease known as COVID-19, changed life around the world [1]
In the state of Victoria, the second wave of COVID-19 infections in June led to a 34% reduction in meat processing capacity because of measures to avoid the overlap of shifts and to ensure physical distancing [36]
The COVID-19 pandemic created angst and fear across society in addition to the health threats that it posed and touched all Australian sectors that care for animals
Summary
In early 2020, humanity faced an almost unprecedented situation when a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, causing a disease known as COVID-19, changed life around the world [1]. Some rescue organizations had financial reserves from bushfire donations Their ability to collect additional donations, or accept volunteers, was limited, which increased the workload and created the need for alternative feed supplies.Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) was concerned that the COVID-19 crisis could impact animal welfare if workers could not attend to the needs of the wildlife in their care, or free-ranging wildlife under their management (e.g., threatened species programs). Within the first 2 months of the pandemic, key outcomes of the COVAWRRG included clarification on the regulation of the cross-border transport of animals, identification of the need to travel across state and intrastate borders to care for animals, and considerations for rapid-depopulation and culling in response to COVID-19 impacts on processing capacity. Support systems for animal care providers during times of crisis should be developed by each sector
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