Lend a Paddock volunteers unable to relocate any more animals as bushfire danger too great

Volunteers say time has run out for Huon Valley animal owners needing help to evacuate their pets and livestock as the Tahune bushfire continues to spread and threaten properties.

Volunteers say time has run out for Huon Valley animal owners needing help to evacuate their pets and livestock as the Tahune bushfire continues to spread and threaten properties.

Bagdad woman Sarah Pollock, who created the Facebook page Lend a Paddock, spent the day evacuating cows and sheep and collecting donated hay from properties in the area.

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Mrs Pollock started Lend a Paddock earlier this month to connect animal owners in need of somewhere to take their pets and livestock with those with safe paddocks to spare when bushfires hit.

“There are a lot of people contacting us, but we are at a complete stand still in the Huon at the moment,” she said.

“We are unable to assist anyone because it is just too dangerous at this point.”

Mrs Pollock said volunteers moved two cows and nine sheep today and collected 50 bales of donated hay to take to the Huon Valley Council’s animal refuge at Ranelagh Showgrounds and to properties in the Central Highlands.

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She said at least 50 animals had been evacuated in total and volunteers are being “run off [their] feet”.

“We are still getting constant calls for help [from people in the Huon Valley], but unfortunately I have to say no.”

Lend a Paddock co-ordinator Sarah Pollock has been helping bushfire-affected animal owners with feed and, until today, was also involved in shifting animals to safety. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Frightened and distressed residents had called for help today after leaving it too late to evacuate their pets.

“We can’t enter emergency zones whatsoever. Get out early if you think it could become catastrophic, just go,” Mrs Pollock said.

“We tried to warn people as much as we could.”

Mrs Pollock said the way the community had come together to help out was “inspiring”.

Strangers had let her use their cars to tow trailers, businesses had provided trailers and donated petrol and kennels in Cambridge, Mangalore and Margate had provided transport and accommodation for animals.

“Whatever Lend a Paddock has needed, people are willing to just get out and do what we need.”

Lend a Paddock operates across the state.

Those needing help to evacuate animals from bushfire affected areas and those wanting to help should message Lend a Paddock on the Facebook page.

In another demonstration of community spirit in a time of crisis, a Kingston eco-retreat was offering to put up bushfire evacuees.

Hobart Hideaway Pods owner Clare Corrigan said the business waived charges after receiving a booking from a “very distressed” couple fleeing fires in the Huon region.

“We said ‘yes, just come, there’s no charge’,” she said. “We are obviously in the area and we are happy to take on people.”

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