Volunteers from local charity Canberra Pet Rescue have been venturing deep into bushfire-affected areas to deliver pet food, stock feed and veterinary supplies to the owners of domestic animals, but also to wildlife.
They have so far delivered feed and supplies to Nerriga, Braidwood, Tallaganda, Charleys Forest, Araluen, Mongarlowe, Monga, Tomboye, Cobargo, Yowrie and Majors Creek.
They will continue to deliver to these areas as requested, and are now getting calls for help from the Snowy Monaro and Bega Valley districts.
But unless they can find dedicated, reliable 4WD transport, they won't be able to continue their work.
The group has also been ferrying in volunteer vets to treat sick and injured animals in bushfire areas, spokeswoman Carolyn Mueller said.
"Most of the pet owners and farmers we are helping have lost everything in the bushfires and are cut off from the shops and towns, so we are their only way to get access to pet food, feed and supplies," she said.
"The wildlife have no water or food sources, so we are working with communities to put out and refill water dishes and food. Again, we are their only source of water and food."
Canberra Pet Rescue, a small, registered charity, has now launched its own bushfire appeal to keep the aid getting through.
It has also asked if anyone in the community had lend it a 4WD vehicle to continue the work.
"With the support of the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and local police, we travel to a different area almost daily, using the volunteers' own 4WD vehicles, to deliver urgently needed animal food, supplies and veterinary services, at no cost," Ms Mueller said.
"Now that people are returning to work after the Christmas break, vehicles are often not available and the animals must wait yet longer for food, water and veterinary attention."
Ms Mueller said the group had deductible good recipient status with the Australian Tax Office and "100 per cent of money and products donated are going directly to the animals impacted by these bushfires".
"We are all volunteers and receive no government funding, relying solely on donations," she said.
The Canberra Pet Rescue animal Bushfire Appeal had by Thursday raised more than $28,000.
It says every $5000 provides more than seven tonnes of food for animals.
That could comprise more than six tonnes of hay for horses, goats, alpacas and other livestock; 600 kilograms of wildlife mix and more than 200 kilograms of food for cats, dogs, birds and poultry.
The group also accepts donations of pet food, bedding, natural materials to make joey pouches and veterinary supplies, all of which are stored in a temporary warehouse in Canberra.
To make a donation to the Canberra Pet Rescue Animal Bushfire Appeal visit the website at canberrapetrescue.org.au/bushfireappeal or check out the Canberra Pet Rescue Facebook page.
