St John Ambulance donates emergency supplies to Animal Care and Adoption Centre

St John have donated emergency supplies to Townsville’s Animal Care and Adoption Centre ahead of disaster season, but there’s more pet owners can do to plan ahead.

St John has donated medical supplies to Council's Animal Care and Adoption Centre ahead of Christmas.

With disaster season right around the corner, St John Ambulance have donated essential first aid supplies to Council’s Animal Care and Adoption Centre.

The Townsville City Council Animal Care and Adoption Centre provides a temporary home for unwanted or escaped pets, until they are adopted or reunited with their families.

St John volunteer Rodney Burgess said St John was able to donate expired bandages to the centre.

“So instead of just throwing [the bandages] out, we give it to charities like animal shelters, so they can use it on their animals,” Mr Burgess said.

“While they can’t be used for humans, they’re perfectly fine for animals.”

Councillor Andrew Robinson with St John volunteer Jessika Coles.

“Animals are an important part of our families, so they’re deserving of proper care.”

Councillor Andrew Robinson said the support from St John will help the Centre continue to provide a temporary home for lost pets.

“St John has been really great, they’ve assisted our team at the Animal Care and Adoption Centre by donating medical supplies for animals within our care,” Mr Robinson said.

“The Animal Care and Adoption Centre this year has had over 1000 animals rehomed, and greater than 700 animals reconnected with their families.”

With disaster season coming up, Mr Robinson said it’s more important than ever for locals to be prepared for a disaster.

“While we’re very prepared here at the Animal Care and Adoption Centre, it’s also important that pet owners across Townsville are also prepared to take care of their pets in a disaster,” Mr Robinson said.

“We know that thunder, new years eve fireworks even, can spook your pets, and cause them to do anything to escape the backyard. In doing so sometimes they injure themselves.”

“It’s just important for all pet owners to have a plan for their pets, especially in the event that we need to evacuate during a disaster or a high-risk weather event.”

Mr Robinson said there are many ways for pet owners to plan ahead.

“It’s extremely important that people do get their pets tagged,” Mr Robinson said.

“Council has a helpful fact sheet called ‘Preparing for an emergency with pets’ which is on our website, and it includes a list of helpful items to include on your pet ‘grab and go’ kit, just in case you do need to evacuate with your pet.”

Originally published as St John Ambulance donates emergency supplies to Animal Care and Adoption Centre