RSPCA SA deploys relief team to Kangaroo Island

January 08, 2020

RSPCA South Australia has today launched a Bushfire Appeal to support the efforts of its staff and allied rescue organisations. All funds raised will go directly towards animal rescue and care work taking place in the aftermath of the Adelaide Hills fires and amidst the ongoing Kangaroo Island fires.

The Bushfire Appeal launch comes as a team comprising RSPCA South Australia veterinary and inspectorate staff prepares to travel to Kangaroo Island tomorrow to assist with animal recovery and rescue efforts.

The Kangaroo Island deployment is expected to be long-term, with rotating teams from RSPCA South Australia lined up to assist over coming weeks.

It follows last month’s deployment of six RSPCA South Australia inspectors to fire-ravaged properties in the Adelaide Hills, where they assisted PIRSA officials in the assessment and humane euthanasia of burned livestock, mainly sheep.

More than 3,700 livestock perished as a result of the Hills fires. Total stock losses for all fires in South Australia this summer is expected to be in the tens of thousands.

According to RSPCA South Australia’s Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis, the situation on Kangaroo Island is fluid and the organisation is working to ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.

“The primary focus for our work on Kangaroo Island will be wildlife,” Ms Lewis said.

“For animals that have survived these bushfires, many will require extensive veterinary care for months and provisions are also needed to help animals survive the massive loss of habitat and food sources.

“These tragedies have touched hearts both nationally and internationally.

“With so many people wanting to help the recovery effort, we have launched a Bushfire Appeal to help ensure donations go directly to the skilled frontline forces who we know are actively relieving animal suffering and providing ongoing care.”

Ms Lewis said the scale of animal suffering in the aftermath of South Australia’s fires was like nothing RSPCA inspectors had witnessed before.

“I urge everyone to dig deep to assist the efforts of those individuals who are working tirelessly on behalf of animals that are so desperately in need of help,” Ms Lewis said.

“We guarantee that all donations will go towards targeted, practical support that will help animals that have survived this nightmarish experience to get back on their feet.

“Longer term, we hope to support initiatives towards regenerating their decimated habitats.”

Donations can be made directly to RSPCA’s appeal here.

For more information about RSPCA South Australia’s response to the bushfires and ways to help, visit here. 

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17 thoughts on “RSPCA SA deploys relief team to Kangaroo Island”

  1. Helen Harrison

    Have koalia mittens made plus bags who do I sen them to anzac Highway don’t want

    1. Hi Helen, thank you for thinking of us and animals in need during the bushfire crisis. We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity of so many compassionate supporters that we currently have all the physical supplies we need to help fire-affected animals! However, we recommend you contact Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at Kangaroo Island on 8559 7344 or Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Hospital on 8297 2455 since they may still be in need of physical donations. Thank you.

  2. Steve Chilton

    How & where can I donate a sizable amount of cash ? It must be purely used for animals that have received injuries as a result of S.A. bushfires

    1. Hi Steve, thank you so much for thinking of us and fire-affected animals in need. All donations made through our dedicated Bushfire Appeal will go directly towards bushfire response initiatives and organisations we are collaborating with, to ensure rapid and effective action for impacted animals. You can make a donation online here: https://my.rspcasa.org.au/bushfires/Donate
      Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 477 722 and press option 4 to make a donation over the phone. If you would like to donate cash, you can do so in person at either our Lonsdale Shelter, our Head Office at Stepney, or any of our nine op shops – just make sure you specify that you would like it to contribute to the Bushfire Appeal. Thank you so much.

  3. Kristine Schilling

    I have a transporter box if I can be of help.
    Kris Schilling 0419761391
    U26 18 – 30 Heysen Avenue Hope Valley 5090

    1. Hi Kristine, thank you for thinking of us and animals in need during the bushfire crisis. We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity of so many compassionate supporters that we currently have all the physical supplies we need to help fire-affected animals! However, we recommend you contact Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at Kangaroo Island on 8559 7344, or Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Hospital on 8297 2455 since they may still be in need of physical donations. Thank you.

  4. Joanne Harrison

    I have almost finished a dozen crocheted nests and was wondering if anyone in South Australia needs them.
    Kangaroo Island is not getting the same publicity as Victoria and NSW, so i thought id offer them to you first.
    I can send images if you would like to see the first.
    Thanks
    Joanne

    1. Hi Joanne, thank you so much for thinking of us and animals in need in South Australia during the bushfire crisis. We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity of so many compassionate supporters that we currently have all the physical supplies we need to help fire-affected animals! However, the following SA organisations may still be in need of physical donations: you can contact Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at Kangaroo Island on 8559 7344, or Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Hospital on 8297 2455. Thank you.

  5. Kris Beynon

    Hi, can someone please get in touch with me regarding Kangaroo Is. Volunteering in April?

  6. Tania Krsinich

    I would very much like to volunteer my time to help wildlife affected by fires. I applied for the KI volunteering but acknowledge you had a huge response. Are there other shelters that need physical help, either in SA or other states? I am happy to travel wherever I am needed. I live in Victoria.

    1. Hi Tania, thanks so much for your interest in volunteering. You can visit Volunteering SA & NT for details of other volunteering opportunities that other organisations may have available here: https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au

      Alternatively, you might consider volunteering at one of our shelters – we’re especially in need of help at the moment, as we rotate teams of our staff through Kangaroo Island to assist with the triage and treatment of injured animals: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/support/volunteer

      Thank you.

  7. Antony Taggart

    Hi All. I have been working in native wildlife rescue and husbandry in both Australia and the Peruvian Amazon Basin now for nearly 27 years. Would love to assist physically on KI if possible. Can anyone assist as to who to contact to make this happen? Many thanks, Tony

    1. Hi Antony, thanks so much for your interest in volunteering to help fire-affected wildlife. We have been so overwhelmed by the response of people wanting to help that applications to volunteer with us on KI are now closed. You can read more about our emergency response on KI here: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/ki-bushfires-plan

  8. Tony O'Donnell

    Hi
    would like to take a couple of weeks off my job to come to kangaroo island to help with the injured animals if possible.
    Have a farming background and have experience with all types of livestock and animals in general
    Thank you

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