Pets need haven from cyclones in Darwin rural area: MLA

RURAL pets may be the most vulnerable if a cyclone hits the Top End this year, with owners to be put in the position of leaving them at home alone or making the trek into Darwin or Palmerston for a pet-approved centre.

RURAL pets may be the most vulnerable if a cyclone hits the Top End this year, with owners to be put in the position of leaving them at home alone or making the trek into Darwin or Palmerston for a pet-approved centre.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Gerard Maley said the government needed to make a priority out of establishing a pet-friendly cyclone shelter in the rural area, with the Coolalinga Central car park a possible option.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Gerard Maley and his dog Fritz. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

“Here in the rural area, we consider our pets as family. Territorians in the rural area deserve the same level of protection, for themselves and their pets, as Darwin and Palmerston,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people with dogs out here and a lot of elderly people with dogs,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say (Coolalinga) would need much at all, it’s open at one end but the other half is all enclosed, ideally you’d just be able to go down that end and it would all be cyclone proof.”

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Mr Maley has approached the government requesting a review as a matter of urgency given the La Nina cycle affecting Darwin.