Need help with your menagerie? Lend a Paddock Facebook page helps transport and house pets amid Tasmania’s bushfire crisis

As more people in fire-affected towns choose to evacuate their homes, a small group of volunteers is co-ordinating emergency assistance for the transport and housing of their livestock and beloved pets.

As more people in fire-affected towns choose to evacuate their homes, a small group of volunteers is co-ordinating emergency assistance for the transport and housing of their livestock and beloved pets.

Sarah Pollock created the Lend a Paddock Tasmania Facebook page in early January in anticipation of a busy bushfire season.

Katrina Phillips, of Magra in the Derwent Valley, recently came on board to lend a hand as the number of animals needing to be moved rapidly grew.

The disability support worker and former Brighton Council animal control officer said she and Mrs Pollock only knew each other through Facebook.

“We’ve never actually laid eyes on each other,” she said.

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“Sarah started the page and got so many responses so I said I’d give her a hand and my daughter Ashley has also got involved.

“Sarah’s been down at the firefront [near Geeveston] while I sit at home with my mobile, landline, laptop and books writing who needs what where.”

A whole menagerie — from pigs and alpacas to horses and goats and cows — has been relocated thanks to offers of help from across the community via Lend a Paddock.

Ms Phillips said their owners were often scared and suffering from exhaustion.

“They just want somebody to tell them where to go and what to do,” she said.

“I think every municipality should have a pre-fire season meeting to have a plan in place for things like this instead of waiting until the fires hit. Before Sarah started the page, people were totally lost. It wasn’t until late yesterday afternoon that the Huon Council’s livestock plan was put in place to open up the [Ranelagh] showgrounds.”

Meanwhile, North Hobart business Blue Gum Trailer Hire has offered free trailer hire for those affected by fire needing to move their animals.

Kimberly’s Pet Taxi and Pet Services is also sending vehicles to Huonville to lend a hand.

Sprout Tasmania is offering assistance to farmers across the state.

Those with available paddock space and those needing animals to be moved can email [e-mail]