QUEENSLAND FLOODS & Pets
Fairfield, Dakabin, Toowoomba, Kingaroy and Gympie RSPCA shelters are closed due to flooding. For animal emergencies phone 1300 852 188 or 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) but please be patient - RSPCA call centre is experiencing very heavy traffic. Save this number for emergencies only.
If there is a chance you may need to evacuate then please make arrangements for your pets immediately. Sadly, it's possible you may not be able to take your pets with you if you are evacuated.
If you have a friend or member of the family who can look after your pets on a temporary basis then please arrange that as soon as possible. As we all know, pets are members of the family and if you are forced to leave them behind it will be heartbreaking. So please don't leave this decision to the last minute.
There are so many people that want to help so well before you are evacuated please arrange to have your pets looked after with friends on higher ground....remember people want to help so take up their offers.
Crate Training
Also now is the best time to remind people of the benefits of crate training your dog. Checkout my video on Crate Training on www.lovesdogs.com.au where I train an adult working Kelpie. Once a dog is crate trained they have the ability to go anywhere with anyone and be very safe for themselves and others around them (even perfect dogs do silly things when highly stressed...crates take away any risk).
Access to Clean Water
With floods come water born diseases, please ensure your dog is well hydrated in the summer heat and not forced to drink from flood waters which will have many organisms which will make your hound ill....sewerage and rotting debris are a usual ingredient to that brown muddy water.
Leave it command
Leave it command is where you ensure your dog does not eat or sniff obsessively around things that may be harmful. There will no doubt be rotting animals and debris that could be harmful to your wondering dog so ensure he doesn't consume anything he shouldn't please ensure he learns a sure-fast 'leave it' command.
Secure your dog
Helicopters and rescue teams are a sure thing during disasters, so keeping your dog calm and safe is essential....when a chopper goes over head toss your dog some tidbits or scatter a half handful of kibble...to distract him from focussing on the noise and learn that its ok to have the new flying harley go overhead. Also ensure your dog is tethered in a cage or room with access to fresh cool water so he can't escape and become a hazard to rescue workers and a headache for you.
Injuries
You may have animals that are injured or come across lost animals that are injured. If you are unable to get them to an RSPCA, AWL or Vet wash wounds with clean water and aplly an antiseptic and fly repelant around the hair of the wound. From my experience, horse really do gash themselves badly in floods and when stressed, so may have massive cuts from fences and debris but be aware leaving them open till attended to by a vet and applying antiseptic is the best course of action.
Wildlife
Best to contact WIRES if you have injured wildlife and it is very important to ensure your own safety when assisting wildlife as the animals will be highly stressed and not aware that you are being kindhearted...this is especially true for kangaroos and Koalas. So keep your distance if you must assist wild life covering their heads with towls can often help in calming them down. I would be very cautious of assisting snakes and would urge people to know their species and focus on where snakes go especially in built up areas, as the cleanup effort will become difficult if a snake is amongst belongings.
Also Below are details for Working Dog Rescue an Organisation which specialises in helping with the needs of working types who may struggle with the average re-homing environment.
