HUNDREDS of homeless puppies and kittens face death as an increase in Qantas freight charges has left a Busselton animal rescue group financially incapable of saving them.
SAFE Busselton rescues animals at risk of death or abandonment and places them in temporary foster care. The not-for-profit group is statewide and depends on low freight charges to fly animals from the North West to Busselton and other locations in the South West.
Founder of SAFE Sue Hedley said the cost to fly a 45kilogram dog from Karratha to Perth used to cost the rescue group $79. Now, with the recent rate increase, it would cost $421.
Ms Hedley said the increased charges would result in the certain death of thousands of helpless animals.
"SAFE rescues hundreds of animals but this is now impossible because of Qantas's decision to increase freight charges so dramatically," Ms Hedley said.
"The flow-on effect will mean dozens of re-homeable animals in the North West will be euthanised by pounds each week or die in appalling conditions, as SAFE can no longer afford to rescue and transport them to safety."
Ms Hedley is imploring for Qantas to reverse their decision.
She urged the community to join SAFE’s online campaign, which so far holds more than 4300 signatures asking for the former rates to be reinstated.
A Qantas Airways Limited spokesperson said the airline could no longer sustain the deeply reduced rates previously offered, however they would continue to provide SAFE with significant, double-digit percentage discounts.
According to the airline, these rates are well below the rates that a similar commercial customer would be entitled to receive.
“We appreciate this provides an additional cost to SAFE but the new rates were necessary to enable us to provide a sustainable and viable freight service for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
To join SAFE's Qantas campaign visit www.thepetitionsite.com/385/117/002/tell-qantas-their-freight-hikes-will-kill-thousands-of-pets/