Gathering information about the animal involved in the incident will help to inform the quantity and type of fire and rescue service resources required. Information sources include:
- The caller contacting the fire and rescue service – this could be a member of the public, an animal welfare charity or another organisation
- The animal itself, as an identification markers may help to identify the owner
- The owner of the animal, who may or may not be at the scene of the incident
Caller information
Information gathered from the caller should include:
- The environment that the animal is in – whether it is at height, in an enclosed space, in a structure, in transit, on ice, or on unstable ground
- For an animal in water – whether the water is still or moving, above or below knee deep, inland or coastal
- If the animal is trapped, the nature of entrapment or entanglement
- The number of animals involved
- The species of animal
- The size of the animal – whether it is larger or heavier than an adult human
- The condition of the animal – whether it is conscious, aggressive or injured
The information gathered should also include:
- Whether the owner of the animal is at the scene of the incident, or if not, whether they are contactable
- Whether any members of the public are involved with the incident, for example, attempting to rescue the animal
Animal identification
Identification markers on or with the animal could include:
- Microchips
- Collar tags
- Branding
- Tattoos
- Ear tags
- Pet passports or other documents
Owner information
Information gathered from the owner should include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions of the animal
- The age of the animal
- The animal’s usual behaviour, although this may not reflect its behaviour when distressed
- Restraint methods the animal is used to