On Wednesday afternoon, Courtney White from RSPCA Shoalhaven brought down a van of domestic animal supplies to the South East Local Land Services office in Bega, including food, leashes, collars, bedding, toys and some medications. 

“I don’t know how many donations we have all up, but the van is totally packed full,” Ms White said. 

South East LLS local area manager Jake Tanner said the supplies were gratefully received considering the high rate of pet ownership in Tathra. 

Since Monday, the LLS team have been heading into Tathra to recover lost pets and care for others left at home.

“We pulled about seven cats out yesterday and five dogs now,” Mr Tanner said. 

“We also found two guinea pigs in their hutch outside, the fire had come right up to the wire, they were hungry, but safe.”

The team has also been filling up food and water for the chickens left behind in Tathra’s backyards. 

“We’ve visited over 40 coops, and the fire has come so close to some of them.

“But they’re okay, most of them are actually still laying,” Mr Tanner said. 

South East LLS Senior Agriculture Advisor Andrew Taylor has also been helping out with pet rescue and management in Tathra.

“Getting a cat in a cage isn’t always easy work, but after a few days alone they’re looking for attention and pretty happy to see us,” he said. 

“We’ve been putting food and water out at people’s houses in case their pets return home.”

The evacuation centre at the Bega Showground has seen a number of pets come through the doors and Mr Tanner encouraged owners to keep in touch over the coming days and weeks.

“Any and all pet owners affected by the fire should come up and see us, you don’t need to go out and buy this stuff for your animals, it’s all right here for you,” he said.

As well as supplies, LLS can arrange accommodation for animals displaced by the fire. 

“We’re making ourselves available to answer inquiries at the recovery centre and at our office,” Mr Tanner said. 

The donations came from a range of animal stores and services from further up the coast, including Petstock Ulladulla, Petbarn Nowra, South Coast Animal Rescue, Animal Welfare League Shoalhaven, RSPCA Ulladulla and Shoalhaven.

The drive was organised by Jools Becket from Almost Home Rescue through her animal shelter and personal Facebook page.

“As humans we can understand a tragedy like this, but for animals it can be very traumatising,” Ms Becket said. 

“I saw the fires on Sunday and I knew I had to do something to help out, I guess that’s just what Australians do.”

Ms Becket has organised for another two trucks to arrive in Bega over the next week, which include supplies for other animals, including hay and feed for livestock and poultry and sheets and linen for injured wildlife.

South East Local Land Services Bega office is located on the rooftop of Sapphire Marketplace. If you require their assistance, phone 6491 7800 or seek out a LLS representative at the recovery centre at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.