Sunday, February 15, 2009

Bushfire News

A lot of you will have heard about the devastating bushfires that have been burning in my home state over the past week. Mum works for the organisation that is responsible for managing the fire fighting on public land, and she is it probably going to get a lot worse in the next week, as the weather is getting hotter and the wind is getting stronger. So far 181 people have lost their lives, and more than 1,800 homes have been destroyed.

The pups and kitties who have been affected by these fires are suffering too. A lot of people now don't have a home for their pets, and are having to send them to the RSPCA for looking after. If any of you have any spare dollars you could donate, it would be greatly appreciated. You can visit this link to see what to do. The RSPCA is also looking after the wild animals that have survived the fire - you may have seen this little koala on the news, getting a drink from a CFA volunteer after making it out of the bushfire zone.
Photo of David Tree and Sam the koala courtesy of The Age.

The koala had severely burned paws, which is why she is resting one of them in David's hand. She has been named Sam and is now in care with her paws all bandaged up. It is estimated it will take 8 - 9 months for her to be well enough to be released to the wild again.

Victoria needs all the help it can get at the moment.

22 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

We are sending all of our khooling vibes!

AND we'll be sending some plastikh green stuff after we paw the winners from my 400th Post/Paw it Furward thingie!

We think of woo Down Under all the time!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

It is very sad that the fires have caused so much devastation. We are purring hard for all those affected.

Misha said...

There was a clip on the news here in NZ about a Kiwi couple from Kingslake going back to visit their destroyed home. They thought their cat had died in the fire, but she turned up safe and sound while the TV crew was there! Mummy got leaky eyes at that one...

Stella said...

Thanks very much, Huffle, for the good update.

You can be sure we will be sending a donation very soon.

Kisses,
Stella

Mickey's Musings said...

It breaks out hearts that so many humans and animals are suffering. Little Sam is lucky. It will take more than 9 months for the land to recover. We send lots of purrs!!!!!

Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

Anonymous said...

We are sending so many prayers and vibes to everyone down under. And mom did lots of leaking on that video that she saw of sweet little Sam being given water. Poor little girl.
Hugs,
Sitka

Anonymous said...

Thank you huffle for the update and a very BIG thanks to your mum for all the hard work she is doing in the effort. We add prayers for the people and animals of Australia along with our prayers for Spencer every day and night. Houses can be replaced and the land will rejuvinate. Lifes lost are lost forever. Please stay safe.
-TBH

The Island Cats said...

Huffle, we think it is so sad what is happening in your country! We are purring for everyone there....

edda said...

we get forest fires here too during the summer though not as many people have died as have in yours.

we're purring for you guys.

D.K. Wall said...

Thanks, Huffle, for keeping us up to date. The Sydney Herald is one of the links I check everyday for news and the Koala video there really was amazing. Thank you for the update on his condition.

I am not that familiar with Victoria and Melbourne. I would connect through Sydney (and spend a weekend there adjusting for jet lag) on my way to Adelaide in my old job. Did that every other month for a few years. I don't miss the long plane rides or being away from The Herd, but I sure miss the Australian hospitality.

Thanks for keeping up to date and praying for everyone in the way of these awful fires.

D.K. Wall

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

We are purraying for everyone affected by the fires.
Purrs,
JB

Just Ducky said...

Hugs and purrs to you. We have been following the news of the fires. Please be safe and God's help to all of you as you deal with the fires and the aftermath too.

Jack & Moo said...

Please tell your mum Thank woo, Huffle, for helping. We have all paws crossed & our mom is saying prayers for all of woo over there, including Jack's first humom's pawrents, who also live in Australia.) And thanks for the link to the donation sight.

We send woo our love on this Valentine's Day,
Woos & a-roos,
Star & Jack a-roo

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We have all of you in our prayers. Mom will be sending along some support too with her plastic card.

Woos, the OP Pack

Princess Eva and Brice said...

We've got our paws crossed that you and Charlie/Opy's family and everyone else remains safe. We've sent some $ to help the animals in need. We're going to try to find more.

Princess Eva

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

Kate cried when she saw the footage of Sam having a drink from the firefighter's water bottle (there's a video of it on YouTube). There are so many sad and suffering people and animals in Victoria right now. I'm sending my bestest purrs their way, and hoping that those fighting the fires can get them under control before the bad weather sets in again.

Forever Foster said...

We've been hoping that all our excess water would start moving down to where it is needed. We are purring for your Mum, Huffle. She and all the people she is working alongside are in our prayers. We foster for the RSPCA, and know that they are doing the very best they can.

Cat with a Garden said...

Thank you for the update, Huffle. We would have wished it had contained better news, though! Hopefully many people have a little monies to spare and will donate! Sam is a real survivor, we were amazed how friendly she was to the man. 8-9 months is a long time for a wild animal to be caged and we're happy that she found a friend there.
Purrs, Siena

Simcha said...

we also plan to donate for all our furry friends affected by the brush fires.

I am very sensitive to suffering but especially animal suffering. None of this is their fault yet the price they pay is enormous. I had heard the little koala had burned feeties and we couldn't look at that picture without feeling enormous sadness.

Simcha

The Army of Four said...

Thanks for the update, Huffle. We are praying for everyone - if we had any rain, we'd try to send it to you!
Tail wags,
Storms

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

That is very sad. I hope the weather starts cooperating for the firefighters.

Kat

catsynth said...

It's very sad to see all the devastation, and lives lost, in the fires. We're glad to know that your family is OK, and impressed at your mom for her hard work.

Animals always suffer a lot in these disasters, we're glad to see the RSPCA helping both the domestic and wild animals affected. Thanks for providing us the support link...