As fires are ravaging through Australia, many people and even animals are searching for safe places to hide. The fires have already killed at least 25 people and a billion animals, which is so sad.
Now, a video has been shared on social media showing the cargo hold of the HMS Choules accommodating 135 dogs and their owners. The ship is now transformed into doggy daycare.
Officials have issued a mandatory evacuation due to the fires. At least a thousand people, including Cassandra Smith, her husband Nicholas and their Labrador, Lexi, were forced to evacuate from Mallacoota, Victoria. All of them were transported to the Melbourne Convention Center.
Mallacoota was one of the worst-hit areas by the Victorian bushfires. According to reports, more than 4,000 people spent New Year’s Eve trapped on the foreshore while wildfires raged so close to them.
Smith had been visiting the small town during the holidays since 2004. According to her, the coastal town has never experienced such horror. At least 80 homes were burnt in Mallacoota.
Read More: Burnt Places in Australia Already Recovering From Bushfires (Photos)
Describing the scenes onboard the ship, Smith said that the Navy set up makeshift containers and pallet boards as dog shelters. There were over 135 dogs, two cats, two birds, and a rabbit, but in different areas.
She also said that the CFA [Country Fire Authority] previously warned them about fire sirens. Hearing the sirens means evacuation. People left the campsite in boats, wearing long-sleeved cotton shirts and hats in order to protect themselves from falling embers.
Check out a video of the navy ship turned doggy daycare below:
They had food just for 3 dogs. On New Year’s morning, the sky was black with smoke and then it turned red. They heard gas bottles exploding and houses burning. It must have been an unpleasant view to see. Nobody was celebrating New Year as they were all exhausted.
Smith suffers from asthma, so she was among the people who were taken to Far Saracen Esso Oil ship for treatment on the 2nd of January. Afterward, she and her family and pets were taken to HMAS Choules.
Fires in Australia are still ravaging across the country. The weather and the hot winds are making the fire conditions even worse.
