For previous updates click here

Animal Aid has had many wonderful supporters during our Appeal. We would just like to mention a few here.

Bushfire Update - 6/3/09 (6.30pm)
There is still so much happening at Animal Aid and still so much to do, that each day it is hard to pick and choose what are the most important things to tell you about. One thing that has been quite a stand out is that we have been asked to begin a cat trapping program in and around the Marysville area. We have been one of the first outside agencies allowed in since the devastating impacts of the fires.

We have heard that the general consensus is that nothing would have survived such an intense blaze, but this does not seem to be completely true. We have already heard several remarkable stories from various locations, one amazing account of survival is that of two cats from Marysville. As soon as he was allowed to go back home, a Marysville resident raced back with the glimmer of hope that his two little pussy cats, might have made it. To his great relief they greeted him enthusiastically on his arrival, a few kilos lighter, but otherwise unharmed. 

Marysville feels like a bit of a ghost town and so far our traps have not been successful but we won't be giving up just yet. There is just too much physical and reported evidence to indicate that there are animals out there and we will continue to work with the residents and authorities until we are satisfied our help is no longer needed.

It would not have been possible for us to spare two  staff members and our van to do this vital and potentially life saving task without your continuing support. This is an example of the kind of work that is going to need to be done over the next few months and we are here to do it.

Another highlight of this week has been a very welcome truck load of hay that arrived from the fantastic organisation, Aussie Helpers. Led by Brian Egan, Aussie Helpers are a dedicated bunch of volunteers who work very hard in the area of drought relief and the complex consequences that farming families face. Animal Aid assist Aussie Helpers on a regular basis with donations of dog and cat food and this time they were only too happy to return the favor.

Based in Charleville, Queensland, they made the incredibly long journey down to Coldstream. Assisted by a lovely young group of volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia, they made the big job of unloading a lot quicker.

We were also happy to see a couple of our burns patients well enough to go home today and we will update you on their progress next week.

SUPPLIES AND ASSISTANCE NEEDED:

• Financial aid for the ongoing support that Animal Aid is supplying to the fire affected communities and their animals.
• Hard feed for horses and other pet livestock

We will need more hay in the future but at present storage is an ongoing challenge. We would love to hear that you have the hay and can hold it, so that we can call upon it as the need arises.
Currently we have enough small animal food and bedding but keep checking with us as this can change very quickly due to the amount of animals being housed.

Aussie Helpers Hay Donation and CVA Volunteers	Lynn setting cat trap

Contact us on 03 9739 0300

or

You can donate to the Animal Aid Bushfire Appeal*
at any Bendigo Bank Branch or online via Internet Banking to:

We would like to thank Bendigo Bank Wandin specifically for all their support with this appeal

* We want to ensure that every donation processed at a Bendigo Bank branch gains an Animal Aid offical receipt. Please send us an email with these details:
Name, Address, Donation amount and also a contact number.

email: