Family Rescues 10 Dogs From Flooded Australian Town

When Ingrid Schreiner saw her former community evacuate for flooding, she knew the animals would be scared and alone.

Last week, more than 200 residents of Daly River in Australia's Northern Territory were forced to flee their homes as the river threatened to reach 14 meters. Most left without time to arrange care for their pets.

Ingrid and her family lived in Daly River for years. She remembers the crushing anxiety of evacuation orders, especially the worry about leaving companions behind.

Now living 10 kilometers away in Five Mile, outside the flood zone, Ingrid saw a chance to help. She and her partner John Bonson drove five hours to Darwin to stock up on dog food and fencing materials.

John rushed to build emergency kennels from chainlink fences and metal structures. Meanwhile, Ingrid and their kids Jontae and Tessie prepared for a rescue mission into the evacuated town.

The drive in was tense. Water already covered most roads, and the family had to stop for a water buffalo blocking their path.

Eleven-year-old Tessie acted as croc watch while her sibling guided the way. "We saw a tiny crocodile on the road, it slithered into the water," Tessie said.

The town felt eerie and empty. Tessie guided her mom to friendly dogs so Ingrid could safely scoop them into carriers.

"I was stressed. If we didn't have enough room, some of them might have gotten eaten or drowned," Tessie said.

They rescued 10 dogs, including several puppies. As they prepared to leave, a small cat named Kit Kat approached, meowing insistently.

"The kids couldn't leave him behind," Ingrid said. Cats usually climb trees to escape floods, but Kit Kat had other plans.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine is how one family turned their own difficult memories into action. Ingrid knew exactly how stressful it feels to worry about pets during an evacuation because she'd lived it herself.

Now John sends daily updates and photos to evacuated families in Darwin. Authorities have also stationed an animal welfare officer in Daly River to care for remaining pets around the clock.

The rescued animals are safe, well-fed, and waiting for their families to come home.