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Crew aboard the HMAS Choules care for the bushfire evacuee dogs. Picture: David Caird
Crew aboard the HMAS Choules care for the bushfire evacuee dogs. Picture: David Caird

All creatures great and small among bushfire evacuees

Staff writers
1 min read·January 06, 2020 - 12:37PM
Sunday Herald Sun

The MV Sycamore resembled Noah’s Ark on Saturday, with 150 pets making the 20-hour boat journey to safety with their owners.

With thousands of Victorians forced to evacuate popular holiday destinations and rural farmland, animals are also among those displaced as bushfires rage.

Crew aboard the HMAS Choules are caring for beloved dogs below deck, as Mallacoota evacuees slowly make their way to safety.

There was plenty of room in the vehicle bay for pets on HMAS Choules. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
There was plenty of room in the vehicle bay for pets on HMAS Choules. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
No family picture is complete without the pets. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
No family picture is complete without the pets. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some pets were happier than others to be on-board. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some pets were happier than others to be on-board. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Relaxing with a dog and a book. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Relaxing with a dog and a book. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some dogs quickly made themselves at home. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some dogs quickly made themselves at home. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A tummy rub is good no matter where you are. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A tummy rub is good no matter where you are. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Hundreds of pets were evacuated, along with their owners. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Hundreds of pets were evacuated, along with their owners. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
The ship’s vehicle bay was full of dogs. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
The ship’s vehicle bay was full of dogs. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Passing the time with a mate. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Passing the time with a mate. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some dogs were more relaxed than others. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Some dogs were more relaxed than others. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Relaxing to pass the time. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Relaxing to pass the time. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Evacuating is easier in pairs. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Evacuating is easier in pairs. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A crew member meets a new arrival. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A crew member meets a new arrival. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Pets and their owners were in for a doggone long journey Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Pets and their owners were in for a doggone long journey Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A dog and its owner pass the time together. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A dog and its owner pass the time together. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
All smiles on board. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
All smiles on board. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Being cute is hard work. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Being cute is hard work. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Dogs and their owners made the best of the situation. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Dogs and their owners made the best of the situation. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Piling on for a cuddle. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Piling on for a cuddle. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Sharing a bed with a mate. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Sharing a bed with a mate. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A pooch has a cuddle with its owner on HMAS Choules. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
A pooch has a cuddle with its owner on HMAS Choules. Pictures: Kristine Daniels/Facebook
Lynn Buckley and her dog, Sweep, wait to board a boat bound for Hastings. Picture: David Caird
Lynn Buckley and her dog, Sweep, wait to board a boat bound for Hastings. Picture: David Caird
A cat was among those evacuating from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A cat was among those evacuating from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Some were less than keen to get on the boat. Picture: David Caird
Some were less than keen to get on the boat. Picture: David Caird
Bethany hugs her dog, Sloane, before going aboard. Picture: David Caird
Bethany hugs her dog, Sloane, before going aboard. Picture: David Caird
Damien Koster and wife Elly with their children, Bethany, 14, Tyler 12, Katie 3, Isabella, 8, and dog Sloane wait to board the boats at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Damien Koster and wife Elly with their children, Bethany, 14, Tyler 12, Katie 3, Isabella, 8, and dog Sloane wait to board the boats at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A dachshund was among the evacuees at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A dachshund was among the evacuees at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
The first of the passengers are loaded on to the landing boats by ADF personal. Picture: David Caird
The first of the passengers are loaded on to the landing boats by ADF personal. Picture: David Caird
Evacuees and their animals board boats and prepare to head out to the waiting ships. Picture: David Caird
Evacuees and their animals board boats and prepare to head out to the waiting ships. Picture: David Caird
All smiles and laughter as a boatload of evacuees leaves Mallacoota for HMAS Choules. Picture: David Caird
All smiles and laughter as a boatload of evacuees leaves Mallacoota for HMAS Choules. Picture: David Caird
All aboard. Picture: David Caird
All aboard. Picture: David Caird
On board the HMAS Choules, dogs are cared for by crew in an enclosed area. Picture: David Caird
On board the HMAS Choules, dogs are cared for by crew in an enclosed area. Picture: David Caird
An evacuee from Mallacoota with her dog on-board MV Sycamore.
An evacuee from Mallacoota with her dog on-board MV Sycamore.
A crew member of MV Sycamore entertains a dog evacuated with his owner from Mallacoota.
A crew member of MV Sycamore entertains a dog evacuated with his owner from Mallacoota.
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules as it makes its way back to Hastings from Mallacoota. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules as it makes its way back to Hastings from Mallacoota. Picture: Cassandra Smith
A dog makes itself comfortable aboard the HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
A dog makes itself comfortable aboard the HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs are among the exhausted evacuees. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs are among the exhausted evacuees. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Good company aboard the HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Good company aboard the HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
A makeshift doggie daycare below deck. Picture: Cassandra Smith
A makeshift doggie daycare below deck. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Passing the time on the 20-hour boat journey to Hastings. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Passing the time on the 20-hour boat journey to Hastings. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Dogs aboard HMAS Choules. Picture: Cassandra Smith
Evacuees from Mallacoota arrive on the MV Sycamore at the port of Hastings. Picture: Ian Currie
Evacuees from Mallacoota arrive on the MV Sycamore at the port of Hastings. Picture: Ian Currie
Mallacoota bushfires evacuees including a dog arrive at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: AAP
Mallacoota bushfires evacuees including a dog arrive at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: AAP
Reunited with loved ones at Hastings. Picture: AAP
Reunited with loved ones at Hastings. Picture: AAP
Mallacoota bushfires evacuees and a dachshund arrive at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: Julian Smith
Mallacoota bushfires evacuees and a dachshund arrive at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: Julian Smith
A cat arrive arrives safely at Hastings. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP.
A cat arrive arrives safely at Hastings. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP.
Arriving at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: AAP
Arriving at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Picture: AAP
On shore, those who chose to stay in Mallacoota, watch the boats take evacuees to the waiting ships. Picture: David Caird
On shore, those who chose to stay in Mallacoota, watch the boats take evacuees to the waiting ships. Picture: David Caird
Jann Gilbert with her dog, Ollie, visits the site of her burnt-out unit in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Jann Gilbert with her dog, Ollie, visits the site of her burnt-out unit in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Louise McCarthy and Annabel have evacuated to Swan Reach from Bumberrah with some pet chickens and a guinea pig. Picture: David Crosling
Louise McCarthy and Annabel have evacuated to Swan Reach from Bumberrah with some pet chickens and a guinea pig. Picture: David Crosling
Louise McCarthy and Annabel are accompanied by their three chickens and a guinea pig. Picture: David Crosling
Louise McCarthy and Annabel are accompanied by their three chickens and a guinea pig. Picture: David Crosling
Cathy and Kevin Clarke are camping at the relief centre in Bairnsdale after evacuating from Sarsfield. Picture: David Crosling
Cathy and Kevin Clarke are camping at the relief centre in Bairnsdale after evacuating from Sarsfield. Picture: David Crosling
A couple walking the dog in the choking smoke at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A couple walking the dog in the choking smoke at Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Ken Evans evacuated from Toolrloo Arm to Swan Reach with his dogs to get away from the fires. Picture: David Crosling
Ken Evans evacuated from Toolrloo Arm to Swan Reach with his dogs to get away from the fires. Picture: David Crosling
Mandy Goodwin evacuated Orbost with only her dog and car, house still intact. Picture: Jason Edwards
Mandy Goodwin evacuated Orbost with only her dog and car, house still intact. Picture: Jason Edwards
Mandy and her dog are happy to reach safety. Picture: Jason Edwards
Mandy and her dog are happy to reach safety. Picture: Jason Edwards
Sharon Wiersema and Jo Johnson (Both from Mossiface) have evacuated to Swan Reach to get away from the fires. Picture: David Crosling
Sharon Wiersema and Jo Johnson (Both from Mossiface) have evacuated to Swan Reach to get away from the fires. Picture: David Crosling
The Bairnsdale sale yards are being used to house dozens of horses from locals in the path of the fires. Emma Sztynda with one of her horses. Picture: David Crosling
The Bairnsdale sale yards are being used to house dozens of horses from locals in the path of the fires. Emma Sztynda with one of her horses. Picture: David Crosling
Locals seek refuge on the beach in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel
Locals seek refuge on the beach in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/all-creatures-great-and-small-among-bushfire-evacuees/news-story/98758fdeb47e5d66c6655c05787426bb