It’s a well know story – mild mannered, hard worker by day leads an exciting double life at night, except in this case he’s not saving citizens from peril or thwarting evil at every turn. In this case he’s strumming a guitar and singing tunes for Brisbane’s beer drinking public – and thankfully he wears his undies on the inside.

John Hingston - Brisbane Branch Manager - Steve, his dog, Customer Scare Manager

After all the gloomy news coming out of Queensland over the last few weeks we thought we’d just share this little bit of good news from our Brisbane branch manager, John.

When the main RSPCA center in Brisbane was flooded but several meters of water they put out a call for members to foster animals while they got the shelter back together. Steve the Jack Russel was taken in by John and now spends his days sleeping in the T.A.B Brisbane office and harassing customers for treats.

It was only supposed to be a short term deals but John reckons it would have been pretty hard to take him back.

“We took in Steve for a week or so while the shelter was being cleaned and rebuilt but when it came time to take him back he’d already become part of the family so we decided to keep him. I reckon he’d have been pretty unimpressed if we’d taken him back and no one wants an angry dog on their case, even if he is a midget!! Apparently there have been heaps of foster animals adopted after the floods with is great to see. It’s been great to do a bit for the RSPCA, although they could have picked a better picture of me for the article – Big guy, small dog, pink shirt – that’s pretty fruity!!”

http://city-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/carers-opt-to-adopt-flood-pets/

THIS UPDATE IS FOR TRAVELLERS, CUSTOMERS & AGENTS

For east Coast Australia Cyclone Yasi is truly gone by now and people are getting on with their normal lives – YEAH!!!

Our Cairns branch is no longer flooded and we are expecting to have power/online service within 24 hours – we are happy to announce that our branch will be open again for business the following Monday – 7th of February 2011!

There have been some road closures due to flooding but the Bruce Highway between Brisbane to Townsville has reopened and the roads between Townsville & Cairns are suppose to be open again within 24 hours.

THIS UPDATE IS FOR TRAVELLERS, CUSTOMERS & AGENTS

As of this morning Cyclone Yasi has been upgraded to a category 5 system, the highest rating in the scale and is now expected cross the coast at around 10 pm this evening.  Should you be still in the Cairns/Townsville area please call the emergency services on 000 they will advise you about emergency shelters.

Our branch in Cairns is closed today and potentially Thursday/Friday (depending on weather conditions the branch will  reopen Thursday or Friday – please follow the blog for more updates).

Please follow the TTNQ website for official advice regarding TC Yasi.  Please watch www.bom.gov.au to see the latest information from the Weather Bureau.

THIS UPDATE IS FOR TRAVELLERS, CUSTOMERS & AGENTS

Cyclone Yasi is on its way to Cairns with predictions it will to reach the mainland on Wednesday evening. We are therefore closing our Cairns branch from 3 pm today (Tuesday, 1st of February) until Thursday/Friday (depending on weather conditions the branch will  reopen Thursday or Friday – please follow the blog for more updates).

Areas from Cooktown down to Townsville are expected to be affected by this Cyclone. We advise anyone to restrict their travel north to Airlie beach or Mackay until after the cyclone crosses land  – please follow the news on a regular basis since this might change on an hourly basis.

Please follow the TTNQ website – TTNQ is continuing to monitor official advice regarding TC Yasi.  Please watch www.bom.gov.au to see the latest information from the Weather Bureau.