From the RSPCA Queensland website Wednesday.
What?
Twitter is buzzing with the hashtag #QldFloods. People are tweeting vital information in the hope that it will reach pet owners at risk in Queensland, Australia. This is deadly serious. An area twice the size of Texas is under water — right now (Wednesday, 12 January 2011, in Australia) — there are statewide alerts for multiple road closures and people are being told to get out of suburbs about to be inundated with water.
RSPCA QLD volunteers are swamped with calls asking for help and advice, and the RSPCA is urging residents at risk, who may have to be evacuated, to move their pets to higher grounds immediately. If you don’t know Brisbane, let me tell you is a very hilly city and people up in the hillier parts are being urged by Premier Anna Bligh to offer shelter to those down in the wetter parts of town. So, with luck, some anipals will be shifted further up hills for a few days then go home so their mums and dad’s can clean up — wet but safe and well. There are also a limited number of refugee centres taking anipals.
For those who face evacuation the RSPCA has some serious advice: “Unfortunately there is a possibility people may not be able to take their pets with them if they are evacuated,” RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty said. “If you have a friend or member of the family who can look after your pets on a temporary basis please get the pets to them as soon as possible. As we all know pets are members of the family and if you’re forced to leave them behind it can be heartbreaking.” For most pet owners in areas at riks, this means Prepare Now and Move.
Further afield, farmers on higher ground are opening their fields to those whose land is under water; appeals are also being made for emergency foster homes for shelter and lost animals and sanctuaries under threat. Mum visited Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary a month ago and we await news on how the Sanctuary is faring at this time. I have been watching the news on the ‘net, and it was with frustration that I saw little or no mention of any special arrangements for animals; thankfully the RSPCA is manned by volunteers working really hard trying to look after pets and their families. We are in their debt.
Why?
But, why is this happening, what made the weather behave like this? OK, Mum tried to explain it to me and I just didn’t get it, so she sent me this linky from the BBC with a great video snippet. It gives a clear description of what is happening. Oh, there is a small ad before the bulletin but stick with it, the nice lady says it much better than Mum ever could! Usually we can blame El Nino, but this time it’s not it’s La Nina! Watch the video and see what I mean!
Go ahead, take a peek then come back, I’ll be waiting…
How Can We Help?
Anipals want to help anipals right? So Mum and I are donating to the RSPCA QLD who are calling for donations that can be used to purchase pet and livestock supplies and allow them to work in areas affected by the current flood crisis. The link has a list (please scroll down a little bit) of how much a donation can buy. So even if it’s just a pack of kitty food or tins of dog food — every donation counts. Please, they need every one of us.
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Iz hopin all teh anipals in Queensland iz gonna be okais, thanks you for telling us abowt how to halp. its so skardy for efurryone.
Great article – have been wondering how anipals were coping! The video gives a great explanation of how and why the conditions have been happening, too.
Thanks also for the donation link – think it’s great that wherever we are reading this we can so easily send help to our Australian anipals.
I’ve seen tweets this morning from @flick47 & @PepiSmartDog suggesting that maybe @frugaldougal will dedicate the February #pawpawty to raising funds for Queensland anipals – think that’s a pawesome idea!
I hope @DashKitten will keep us informed, and that efurryone who can will support https://donate.rspcaqld.org.au/flood.
Update on my previous comment – those of us outside Australia who want to help can’t do so, because the site’s insisting on an Australian state & postcode!
Come on, guys – compassion isn’t limited by state or national boundaries. We want to help – please let us!!
Have now learned from @MrTibbsatAP that if you’re outside Australia you can show state as QLD and postcode as 4000 – just did that, & it works!!
Dash – thank you so much for posting this article – it’s a great one. I did look at the BBC video – it’s the first time I’ve ever heard it explained clearly so all will understand it. Thank you too for posting where we can make donations, and thanks to ShaynaCat for passing on the info on how we in the US can get around the living in Australia part of the site. I’m going over there now to help – it’s a small way of helping, but a very important one.
Shayna – thanks for this. I will investigate, do a follow up post, and see if the RSPCA change their format over the next day or so.
Thank you,
Dash Kitten
The Premier is Anna Bligh * deep shame * I got that wrong. I am sorry, and have asked BrutusDane to change it for me.
This is all so sad. It seems like the weather all over the world has gone insane. I’m glad there’s something I can do to help from so far away, even if it’s just send money.
Prayers and love coming for all the animals–and purrs from Pippin!
I live in New South Wales Australia & it is wonderful to see other animal lovers wanting to donate. If you need a postcode & state it is easy to do. If you use QLD then put in the postcode 4000. If you put in NSW use 2000 If you use Vic use 3000. I cant remember the other capitals postcodes of the top of my head but those will help you guys.
Heck if you really want, use my postcode NSW 2793
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