Indigenous Community Volunteers

A veterinarian has returned to Palm Island thanks to improved facilities provided by an ICV volunteer working in partnership with the local council.

Poor animal welfare in Indigenous communities in Queensland’s north was brought into sharp view with a recent attack by a pack of eight dogs at Yarrabah near Cairns. The woman who was attacked suffered multiple wounds.

For some time Palm Islanders have been trying to reduce the human risks of sick dogs and before that, wild horses on the island.

Volunteer, Peter Robinson, spent a month on the island this winter – at the invitation of Palm Island Community Council - preparing a room in the island’s former dog pound.

It meant applying some elbow grease and working with the animal control officers and the environmental health officer, Walter Morgan.

“The space is now more comfortable for a visiting vet,” Walter said.

Electricity, an anesthetic machine and instruments have been delivered for basic animal surgery and care.

The volunteer understood what was needed. Peter spent the past 40 years working as a vet in developing countries where controlling and managing animals is difficult because of limited budgets, resources and remoteness.

Palm Island’s new vet will travel to the island from Townsville once a week with the costs met by the Queensland Government and the Commonwealth through Medicare.

She will provide veterinary care for animals, including treatment for scabies and other skin parasites and worm infections which may cause human health problems. She will also sterilise female dogs and cats to reduce animal numbers, and castrate male dogs and cats, which should result in fewer dog and cat fights.

“Dogs have been known to steal food from children in the school yard,” said Peter and “reducing the animals’ fertility is crucial.”

Although a major concern is diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans, a complete small animal vet service will be provided, which is a great bonus for all the animals and many of the residents on the island.

Walter says Palm Island Community Council is seeking to have Peter return to roll out education programs to inform locals that animals have feelings and are worth looking after.

The other challenge for the community is improving access to pet care products such as dog shampoo and worm tablets, which are cheaper and easier to get on the mainland. Walter is hoping to make these products available at the new clinic premises.