Iain Lapworth, holding Elliot, left, and Shaun Harris in the volunteer Pet Ambulance van. 43452 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Charlene Gatt
BRAYBROOK’S Pet Ambulance Victoria is branching out and helping elderly people who can’t afford to keep their pets.
Pet Ambulance founder Shaun Harris has struck a deal with a pet food company, which donates dog and cat food to him to distribute among people that need it.
“I see so many pensioners out there and no-one’s helping them,” Mr Harris said.
“We’ve got three major clients who are in constant need, because without our help they really would struggle and they have in the past.”
One of his clients is Braybrook resident Rebecca Roberts, who is on a disability pension and struggles to feed her four dogs and five cats.
“We give her food every month and without that, she would not survive, because basically all of her pension goes to buying her dog food and she doesn’t really have anything left.”
Mr Harris also helps supply kitty litter or cover the costs of desexing for any family that wants to take in an animal from the street.
Mr Harris said the Pet Ambulance had rescued 129 pregnant cats that had been surrendered to vets and found them all good homes.
“We like to care for pets and people in every way and get as many cats off the road as possible, especially ahead of kitten season.”
Mr Harris, a trained paramedic, started up the 24-hour service around five years ago after his dog BJ died because he did not have a car to drive him to a vet.
Starting off in $100 station wagon, he was given a real ambulance van from the Queensland Ambulance Service after a radio fundraiser with Radio’s Derryn Hinch.
The ambulance is now stocked with its own stretcher, medical kits, an IV drip and portable breathing equipment.
The pet ambulance does everything from taking pets to vet appointments for clients who can’t get them there, to rescuing wildlife and retrieving dead animals.
Anyone wanting to volunteer, donate or contact the service can call 0447 044 782.
