The Pet Safety Net

MDBA Pacers (Preventing Animal Cruelty in Emergency Response Situations) came into being early this year, 2009 as a direct result of the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria when many of our MDBA members lost both their homes and some, their entire kennel of dogs.

Our Rescue groups swung into action within 24 hours and the MDBA, with the help of many members were able to get pet supplies, vet medicines, PP40 crates and essentials for the care of affected pets into the affected areas by the Monday. Thousands of dollars in donations came in and Proctor & Gamble donated several semi trailer loads of dog and cat food which we were able to have distributed throughout the fire affected areas including the Bairnsdale and Bendigo areas.

Our members came back to us with the idea of forming a way of being able to identify MDBA members in any similar disaster situations to overcome the problems they later had with getting the donated supplies through to those it was meant for. Many a battle was fought with other organizations who felt they'd be better able to distribute the supplies when in fact it was to be hoarded for sale at a later date.

MDBA Pacers is a completly seperate entity to the MDBA Pty Ltd, and a fully registered not for profit charity with tax deductable gift recipient status. Pacers have assisted in many emergency situations, working with several womens refuges by placing any animals involved  with registered foster carers, placing elderly pensioners animals in care while their owner has been hospitalized. The demand by so many for emergency help has been huge and Pacers is appealling for more members or donations Australia wide to all ow us to be able continue assisting people and their animals in emergency situations.

We already have shelters in NSW and in Queensland with more planned for other states as we gain members and finances.

A Buddy System has also been launched to set up a back up for others animals should their animals become endangered whilst their owner is at work or away from the property and again we urge as many people as possible to join Pacers and participate to help safeguard our animals.

Training and Leadership Induction training courses and camps are planned for 2010 with input from the SES, RFA, Police, Pony Clubs and veterinary surgeons.

Further information and forums can be found at www.mdbapacers.org.au