Carnarvon rescue animals need a lift to Perth over school holidays

A Gascoyne animal rescue group is asking drivers travelling from Carnarvon to Perth during the holiday period to consider taking a dog or cat along for the ride so they can be rehomed in the metro area.

SAFE Carnarvon relocates furry friends to Perth for adoption, but requires the generosity of the public to give them a lift.

The organisation used to fly the animals from Carnarvon to Perth under an arrangement with Skipper Aviation, but has been unable to sort out a similar deal with Rex Airlines and Qantas after the two companies took over the flight route.

Rex runs the passenger side of things, while Qantas owns the freight holds.

SAFE Carnarvon’s Mary Geyer said Skipper Aviation would fly the animals for free.

“When we lost them and had to start dealing with Qantas it just became way too hard,” she said.

“You run the risk of being bumped and have to wait another 24 hours to transport the animals.”

Ms Geyer said sending cats and dogs to Perth by road had worked well, but they are always on the lookout for extra volunteers.

“It’s a huge help,” she said

“It’s the only way we can move our animals.

“Carnarvon is socio-economically challenged, so the majority are rehomed in Perth.”

The State Government recently passed new laws to crack down on puppy farming, promising to reduce the number of dogs requiring rehoming.

Under the legislation dogs have to be sterilised before their second birthday.

But Ms Geyer said the laws didn’t go far enough and didn’t think they would have much of an impact in her patch.

“I understand why they did two years of age, but the reality is it should be brought forward,” she said.

“And how are you even going to police it? It’s mandatory for cats but it isn’t policed.

“The State leaves it up to local governments who have no funding.”