PETS are high on the agenda when it comes to emergencies in Greater Manchester.
The RSPCA has praised the region's commitment to caring for pets in the event of an emergency and awarded a specialist unit the 'Innovator of the Decade' award.
Following an explosion in Oldham in 2012, where toddler Jamie Heaton died, around 250 properties were evacuated.
Many pets were left behind and concerned owners thought about breaking the cordon to rescue them.
The emergency team put together a list of all the pets, dogs, cats, hamsters, tortoises, ferrets and terrapins, and all were reunited with their owners.
This plan is now one of the GM Authorities Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit 's 3Ps process: People, Pets and Possessions.
Chief resilience officer Kathy Oldham said: "People’s pets are very often part of the family so it is only right that at times of emergency, we look out for them as well. When people are forced to leave their homes it can be extremely stressful and making sure their pets are included in our planning can help to make things easier."
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