Rotary club extends flood relief to pets

ALFREDTON Rotary Club is one of several community organisations stepping in to lend a hand to help parts of New South Wales impacted by floods.

The group is asking for donations to assist flood-affected animals in the region, and have put the call out to surrounding rotary clubs to join them in their efforts.

The club’s incoming district governor Kathy Rivett said they have been in contact with Lismore Rotary Club, who said that pet supplies are something they “desperately need.”

“Imagine how awful it would be if you’ve got a pet and you can’t go to the shop to buy what they need,” she said.

“Not knowing how you’re going to feed them would be horrendous.

“So, we’re trying to reduce a little bit of their stress by having a stockpile of pet products available for them.”

Once collected and sent interstate, the supplies will be distributed across the region by five of Lismore’s contributing Rotary Clubs.

On top of their animal relief efforts, the club has also donated medical supplies to Lismore’s Southern Cross University to help with recovery efforts.

Truck drivers have offered to deliver the supplies across the border, and the group is seeking vehicles to transport as much as they’re able.

The supplies are intended for farm animals as well as domestic pets, and Ms Rivett said the response from the community has been “fabulous.”

“People are looking for a way to help the flood victims, so we’ve had people messaging us nonstop saying they’ve got this and that,” she said.

“We’ve got your mum and dads that are bringing one bag of dog food and we’ve got people bringing in slabs of dog food and cat food, bird seed and everything.

“Every little bit helps. Dog beds, kennels, leads, worming products, everything.”

Supplies can be dropped off at the Ballarat Showgrounds at the Howitt Street entrance from 8.30am to 3pm every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until Wednesday, 23 March.