Some of us (from AFA) are in Christchurch this weekend working on our dairy investigation; well were supposed to be until the now infamous 4.35am struck this morning. Fast asleep in our hostel we were woken by massive thunderous noises and extreme shaking. We used our skills we learnt in primary school and secured ourselves in the doorways. When the shaking had finished we made our way outside into the bitter cold. From the outside our hostel seemed fine, with the exception of a few tiles that had fallen off the roof and then we heard water gushing. Apparently a 500 kilo chimney had fallen on to the roof of the hostel crushing water pipes; causing water to come pouring out of the roof. Eventually it was declared save and we went back inside.

Then throughout the morning news filtered in and we realised the real magnitude of the earthquake, loss of power, exploding sewer mains, no water, buildings that have been destroyed and roads that opened up with gaping holes but remarkably no  loss of life. This I thought was good news.

Then at about 9am the vets in Auckland called to let me know that kitten was doing well; it was then that it dawned on me the lives they referred to on the radio were not taking into account all life but rather human life. For the rest of the day we listened intently to the radio and at no point did even one story mention the thousands of companion animals who will have been displaced in this earthquake. With all the talk of welfare centres, things we all need to do and State’s of Emergency not one mention of support for the local SPCA, what to do with stray animals if you find one or what to do if that much loved furry member of your family is missing.

Earlier in the year my partner and I went to see a documentary called Mine about animals lost and found in Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. I have not been able to stop thinking about this all day. During Katrina people were threatened with guns by State Troops if they wanted to take their dogs or cats on busses to shelters for displaced people, others chose to leave their animals, many tried to return and find them. Everything about it was a disaster. There was no appreciation or support by the State for the lives of these animals or the place they played in the lives of their families. All of the rescue work and care was left up to volunteer organisations. And in reality there was very little chance of families and their furry friends ever being re-united even if they all survived.

So then I think about Christchurch; who is going to look after the many displaced animals, who is going to rescue them, who will manage a database of lost and found animals and what about those whose lives have been lost, how could that have been avoided?

We have been trying to get in touch with the Canterbury SPCA all day to see what they needed and how we could help but have not been able to get through. The work that this agency will do during this tough time will be invaluable but undoubtedly it will not be enough, they are under resourced, under staffed and likely unprepared for this sort of event. And without being dramatic hundreds, if not thousands, animals will die as a result of this earthquake.

Driving around today we have seen how hard emergency services are working and there is alot to do but at some point soon we need to recognise that the cats, dogs, cows, pigs, fish and birds that we share our lives with every day, who we love, pat, cuddle and feed are just as important as our own, they are members of our community and Civil Defence, the Government or whomever have plan for their rescue, care and return in times like this, just like they would our children, our parents and our friends.

Likewise we, as parents and guardians, of these precious animals MUST have an evacuation plan for ALL family members, be they your children, your cat or your budgie. We MUST have a few days supply of the foods that they ALL need and water for everyone. Please do this today; make a plan and get supplies.

We do not have the answers but we all need to start asking the questions. Someone needs to start talking about it, sooner rather than later.

We will have some images of what we saw in Christchurch today as soon as we have better internet.

For anyone looking for animals or those who have found animals and are caring for them please check:

• Pets on the Net
• SPCA Canterbury