As floods continue to wreak havoc across Northern NSW and Queensland,support is being offered for those needing assistance.
An emergency animal welfare support hotline (1800 814 647) has been activatedfor those in in Northern NSW needing emergency assistance for stranded,injured, or perished livestock and domestic animals.
Those in Qld who need assistance for a sick or injured animal can call a vethotline on 1800 621 918.
Dugald Saunders, NSW Agriculture Minister, said while the focus is currentlyon human evacuation in the most severely affected areas, there is work beingundertaken to ensure support is given to farmers to rescue stock and otheranimals.
“The NSW Government is providing assistance to primary producers for animalassessment, emergency veterinary assistance and emergency fodder where accessallows, coordinated through the DPI State Coordination Centre and theAgricultural and Animal Services Functional Area.”
Stories of businesses and organisations assisting in any way possible arebeginning to emerge from the regions.
RSPCA Qld have been inundated with calls for assistance, with some shelters inaffected areas closed due to roads cut.
Emma Lagoon, RSPCA Qld Spokesperson, said it’s been a tough time for theirrescue teams.
“Like many others, we’ve been limited with our ability to get to every callfor help due to flooded roads and staff and volunteers also stranded. OurRescue Units can only get to places the roads will let us.”
Lagoon also offered thanks to all the local vet clinics helping to triagepatients while they get to more rescue jobs.
“The community is doing a fantastic job to help. Please be patient with ourteams, they’re under a lot of pressure and doing their best.”
Budget Pet Products have donated cages of pet food to the Lismore area, withAramex Gold Coast providing free transport of the goods.
Co-Founder of Budget Pet Products, Michael Chen, said in a social media postthat their hearts go out to all those affected by the floods in Qld and NSW.
WWF Australia are asking for donations to help wildlife rescue partnersrespond to the emergency and to support carers and vets to nurse injuredanimals back to health, and once the waters subside money will be used to helpflood-damaged tree planting projects, which are critical to the survival ofkoalas.
Image: WWF Australia
Tagged: Budget Pet Products, Flood, RSPCA, WWF
Previous 30 Most Influential – Last chance to nominate
Next Endangered shark meat found in pet food