Queensland's Pets Doing it Tough as well

The recent floods haven’t just had a horrendous impact on humans…

We’ve all watched in horror as the flooding disaster has unfolded throughout Queensland, affecting 75 per cent of the state, devastating homes and tragically claiming lives. While the death and damage toll continue to dismay, there is another group of Queenslanders doing it tough who don’t have a voice to complain – the animals.

Domestic pets, livestock and wild animals alike have been affected by the floodwaters, with some residents left with no choice but to abandon their pets in their inundated homes.

Michael Beatty, Queensland RSPCA spokesperson says he is frustrated by the RSPCA’s inability to do more:

‘Anything to do with animals, everyone calls the RSPCA. Unfortunately, the situation in Brisbane now, in regards to us physically being able to take in animals, is non-existent because we simply can’t,’ he said in an interview with the ABC. ‘We don’t have an operational shelter in Brisbane. The animals that left the Brisbane shelter have gone into foster care and we just really thank the foster carers and the volunteers who came in to help ‘But at the moment, we basically can’t take in any other animals.’

How to help

Providing temporary homes for lost and/or abandoned pets will make an enormous positive difference in the coming weeks and months. Michael Beatty has also urged people who can to volunteer, but with so much recovery work ahead of them, the people of Queensland are already stretched to the limit.

However, we have seen some extraordinary images of inter-species kindness and solidarity. The images of a man wading through rising flood waters to save a stranger’s horse warmed the hearts of many, but it was the picture of frog hitching a ride on the back of a snake that made the biggest impact.

The Pedigree Adoption Drive has put a call out to rescue groups and foster carers in flood-affected areas who are in need of food and supplies to make contact through its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to donate to the RSPCA Flood Appeal, you can do so here.

Cat Diaries’ thoughts are with everyone affected by the floods – two-legged, four-legged and no-legged alike!

Images sourced from: Middle town Journa,  Meattradenewsdaily and ABC News