Hailstorms Result in Deluge of Displaced Dogs

 

Managing Director Graeme Smith rescuing dogs in a row boat during the 1988 floods

Melbourne’s stormy weekend resulted in the admission of 92 lost and frightened dogs to The Lost Dogs' Home. The Home accommodated this deluge of displaced dogs in its North Melbourne shelter, also affected by the torrential downpour.

After Saturday’s hailstorm, North Melbourne shelter quickly became surrounded by flood water, making it difficult for ambulances to pick-up and deliver distraught canines. Close to the Moonee Valley Creek, the Home’s adjoining streets are prone to flooding. The worst incident to date was in 1988 when Dr Graeme Smith, the Home’s Managing Director, resorted to using a row boat to pick-up stray and lost dogs. 

The torrential downpour over the long weekend was nearly as bad. Visitors and staff caught in Saturday’s hailstorm were marooned at the Home and had to wait inside until the high flood waters subsided. Reception staff served cups of tea while patient visitors took shelter.

Staff at The Lost Dogs' Home worked well into Saturday night rescuing and caring for hundreds of spooked dogs. Ambulance drivers battled the weather outside while shelter attendants and nursing staff provided care for the wet and distressed animals arriving on a constant basis.

“The pager did not stop. We were inundated with calls from people requesting assistance for pets they had lost or pets they had found wandering,” said a Lost Dogs’ Home receptionist.

“Thankfully, most pets we admitted were not injured, just wet”.

Cats were also affected by the hailstorm. One of the Home’s ambulance drivers, Jess, was called out to rescue a cat that got its head caught in a wire fence trying to flee the storm. After trying to free the cat, Jess eventually called the police who used bolt cutters to cut the wire trapping the cat.

Of the 92 dogs admitted over the long weekend, 28 have already been returned to their owners thanks to most of them having microchips. It is expected this number will rise in the coming days.

The National Pet Register, the Home’s free pet ID tag and microchip register, reunited 120 dogs in just 24 hours. This reinforces the importance of pet identification and the valuable services provided by National Pet Register’s 24-hour-a day, seven-day-a-week Pet Recovery Centre. Staff working in the Pet Recovery Centre over the long weekend took hundreds of phone calls from distressed pet owners.

“The staff were stretched to the limit. They are to be congratulated for their efforts in reuniting such a high number of dogs with their owners,” said Kate Hoelter, General Manager of the National Pet Register.

For those who are still missing a pet, The Lost Dogs' Home urges owners to visit The Lost Dogs' Home, their local pound and other animal shelters. Images of missing dogs will also appear on the Herald Sun’s web gallery.

“If you know anyone who lost their pet during the stormy weather, please ask them to come to The Lost Dogs' Home, visit their local pound and check other animal shelters. Their pets could be waiting for them,” said Dr Graeme Smith.

Make sure you pet is microchipped and wearing collar ID at all times. The National Pet Register issues free pet ID tags.