'I'm out here risking my life': Brave volunteers are neck-deep saving animals
Some brave volunteers from Sydney have been neck-deep in floodwater along the overflowing Hawkesbury River rescuing farm animals that have been left to fend for themselves.
"We have been working nonstop, it's been crazy," animal rescuer Josh Robinson said.
Mr Robinson and fellow volunteers said they've been up all night.
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"We took the boat out to see what was the case out there and found all the animals pretty much under water," he said.
Today A Current Affair reporter Dimity Clancey was on board with them as they went back to check on the animals they physically couldn't take with them.
"Hopefully we are going to drive in and see what we left last night which is a heap of animals that are in water but they're still okay … and a pony upstairs," Mr Robinson said.
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"But it could be anything, who knows."
It has been a slow and bumpy ride for rescuers who said the floods are bigger than last year.
"It is about a metre and a half higher than last year," Mr Robinson said.
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Mr Robinson said all the animals would normally be in paddocks, but while they might be displaced, he and his friends are relieved to see the animals still standing.
But the group of rescuers know the animals are still suffering.
"These horses haven't had food, these animals haven't had food in over a week now," Mr Robinson said.
Fellow rescuer Thomas Jones raises horses for a living and he said although "these aren't even my horses … I'm out here risking my life".
"They've been in water as such, for over a week at least … it doesn't sit well at all," Mr Jones said.
The group saving these animals have also been laying out food, which the livestock have been desperate for.
"The animals shouldn't be here, the animals wouldn't have been a problem when they evacuated them when they were told to," Mr Robinson said.
"If you want to have animals, you're responsible for them," Mr Jones added.
The volunteers said they found animals at a homestead and wedding reception venue along the Hawkesbury River that needed saving.
"When we arrived yesterday there was chooks, (a) couple of roosters, guinea fowl, a couple of turkey and a peacock," Mr Robinson said.
"If we hadn't got them yesterday, we wouldn't have got them out."
The volunteers said they have done all they can but are struggling to get the resources they need to save some of the larger animals and so far nobody has been able to help them.
"The only advice we get is, 'do your best, we can't help you, ring somebody else'," Mr Robinson said.
"We call the SES, they tell us to call the police, the police tell us to call the RSPCA and they tell us to call the SES again, so we are just going in circles and nobody is doing anything."
Until help does arrive, at least the animals have had Mr Robinson and some of the other volunteers out there to fight for them.
"We come from everywhere, we are people that just want to help and do what they can," Mr Robinson said.
"It's amazing what people are willing to do just to help each other."
For people impacted by flooding, there is help available.
In an emergency, phone your local SES unit on 132 500.
In life threatening situations call triple zero immediately.
For more information about how to donate to the Australian Red Cross Flood Appeal, visit here.
For more information about how to donate to the Vinnies Flood Appeal, visit here.
And for more information about how to donate to The Salvation Army Flood Appeal, visit here.
