West Australian animal charity issues SOS after Qantas rate hike hits hard Homeless puppies and kittens in the states north-west, which would have previously been saved and rehomed by being flown down to Perth by a statewide animal rescue group, now face little chance of survival because of a more than 400% increase in freight charges introduced by Qantas last month. The ability to fly animals out of the north-west has been an integral part of the life-saving work of Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE) since its inception in 2003, an option that is no longer financially viable. Sue Hedley, Founder of SAFE, says the decision by Qantas Freight to dramatically increase their charges for flying pets to safety will result in the certain deaths of thousands of helpless animals. “SAFE rescues hundreds of animals from Newman, Tom Price, Hedland, Karratha, Broome and Kununurra and flies them to new homes in Perth and throughout the country, but this is now impossible because of Qantass decision to increase freight charges so dramatically, she says. The flow on effect will mean dozens of re-homeable animals in the north-west will be euthanized by pounds each week or die in appalling conditions, as SAFE can no longer afford to rescue and transport them to safety.” Examples of the price increases include the following: to fly a 45kg dog from Karratha to Perth now costs $421, where prior to the rate charge it was $79; to transport a 10kg dog from Kununurra to Perth is now $354, previously it was $33. “Everyone at SAFE is completely devastated by Qantass decision; we’ve saved thousands of animals over the years and it’s now unbearable to think that thousands more lives will be lost due to the airline’s cost cutting measures,” Ms Hedley adds. We are imploring Qantas to reverse their decision, particularly at this time of year as we are so close to Christmas when there are more animals in need than at any other time of year, but to date our pleas have brought no reversal of their decision. “We’re now urging the community to join us in pleading with Qantas to rethink its decision, and reinstate its former rates to enable us to continue helping to save animals from WA’s far north-west.” To join SAFE’s Qantas campaign, go to: thepetitionsite/385/117/002/tell-qantas-their-freight-hikes-will-kill-thousands-of-pets/ “SAFE is also concerned that the freight increases are going to increase the animals left in these towns in future, where the population is transient and owners won’t be able to afford to take them with them when they leave,” says Ms Hedley. SAFE is a not-for-profit animal rescue organisation which was founded in the Pilbara by Sue Hedley in February 2003. It operates six rescue branches in West Australias far north, as well as six additional branches across the rest of the state.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 07:52:28 +0000
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