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www.dogshome.com/campaspe-floods
On the morning of Saturday January 15 The Lost Dogs’ Home’s Campaspe Shelter manager Kate Kemp was sitting at home watching the news and marveling, as were many Victorians, at the rain drenching the state and swelling the Campaspe River, and wondering just how bad conditions were going to get.
In the nearby town of Rochester, the straining levee walls were not to hold for much longer and soon it was abundantly clear to those in the Echuca area that the Rochester community, both two and four legged would have to evacuate, and would be in need of a whole range of support.
Kate wasted no time jumping into her car, and she spent the day in coordination with local rangers, ferrying evacuated animals from the Echuca relief centre at which they were temporarily being held, to The Lost Dogs’ Home’s Campaspe Shelter.
As the sodden conditions worsened The Lost Dogs’ Home determined that they would take responsibility for accommodating the region’s evacuated dogs and cats for as long as it took. Kate and her staff set about assisting evacuees and processing their pets – taking particular note of animals’ dietary and medical requirements, and of course scrupulously recording their owners’ details and making sure all pets had current identification.
“We told people that there’s no time frame, you come and get them when you can. Some animals will be here for a couple of weeks, some have now gone home after only a couple of days,” said Kate.
Over the weekend, the Home took in the bulk of 23 dogs and 11 cats, and four birds, while six kittens rescued from a farm later came in. Tuesday saw a few animals arriving from Pyramid Hill after this community also evacuated. The team at The Lost Dogs’ Home Campaspe Shelter set about proving that, while its premises might be a little smaller than The Lost Dogs’ Home’s North Melbourne headquarters, with flexibility and a great deal of tireless work, no pet would go without shelter and tender loving care for the duration of the flood, and for as long as necessary into the aftermath.
On Sunday afternoon, flooding hit Echuca, but fortunately the relief centre established the previous day remained safe on dry ground. Kate joined local ranger Tony and together they drove through the floodwaters in search of lost or stranded pets, and also tracked down some extra temporary cages.
That afternoon, Kate was surprised to discover that The Lost Dogs’ Home Campaspe Shelter had become something of an island, with flooding making its main entrance and driveway impassable by vehicles other than four wheel drives.
“I spent the night letting my staff know not to come to work until I knew whether they could get in,” said Kate.
“None of us expected we could have water come down our road. It came down quite quickly.”
Limited access by four wheel drive allowed staff to go about the usual routine of caring for the shelter’s animals, and thankfully the Shelter survived in tact, with the driveway finally clearing by Wednesday.
Dogs that were awaiting adoption at the Home’s Campaspe Shelter were transported to The Lost Dogs’ Home’s North Melbourne base to clear a little more space for pets displaced by the floods, and Kate said that the boarding service she and her staff are providing has given immense relief to residents who already have a huge number of worries on their mind.
“We have had people offering to pay us for their pet’s board, but we tell them of course not! They have so much to do themselves to start again, so we say maybe when they’re back on their feet, they could perhaps bring in some food that will be appreciated by someone else’s pet,” said Kate.
While the water around Rochester and Echuca recedes, many people remain unable to return to their homes, and Kate and her staff are solidly working extra hours throughout the week and weekends to keep up with the needs of their homeless tenants.
“It’s just what you do for your community.”
The message The Lost Dogs’ Home’s Campaspe Shelter is sending to those who have had to place pets in their care is not to worry, or to take their animal home until they are absolutely sure it is safe to do so.
Issues such as damaged fencing, clean, safe water supplies and the removal of any contaminants such as sewage all need to be resolved before a pet can return, and the Home understands that these things take time.
Kate Kemp and her team possibly represent the definition of a ‘sterling effort’, and she admits that she has not had much of a breather since nature conspired to keep her and her staff so busy.
“The floods mean that these poor people have nowhere for their animals to go. Immediately, we all just started thinking what can we do to help? The answer of course, was that we excel at taking care of animals. There wasn’t any question about it, we just hopped in our cars, did what we had to do, and we haven’t stopped.”
The standard orderly routine of care and work continues as usual at The Lost Dogs’ Home Campaspe Shelter. Things are almost back to normal, although Kate says that she continues to be caught by the unexpected sound of birdsong, as the Home’s four tuneful inmates warble each day – a sound which she says, after all the chaos, is rather nice.
So Chester the Wheaten is here for an overnight visit and grooming this weekend. Finn hasn't been feeling the best lately so I think some time with his bestest buddy is just what he needs. The two of them have been sitting together on the window seat staring people down as they walk by. Every once in awhile there's a "boof!" (which scares the other one) but no barking. Good boys!
We had two Golden Retrievers stop in our garden this evening Millie and Izzie.
I’ve just set up a Facebook Page in desperate need of “Likes” so would really appreciate a click!!
The preparation for and the dog walk, fund to go to the Great Dane Rescue Service.
All dogs are off leash for the 5k walk.
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I met this cute little toy poodle at Eyeworth Pond yesterday morning. She was sitting watching the ducks. Her name is Pippa and she is 9 years old.
Usually people decide to click people on the Legendary Heritage Ahmedabad. I decided to take a different path.
More pictures form this trip here: The Dogs of Old Ahmedabad | Heritage walk of Ahmedabad