FOR more than seven years Gregg Morris and his wife Jo have helped care for native animals without a home. Now they find themselves in the same situation.

It was a gut-wrenching moment for the pair when they followed the CFS trucks up Sheoak Rd on the weekend only to see the flashing lights turn into their home; Kangaribilli Sanctuary - home to more than 40 kangaroos and native animals.

“I jumped out of the car and screamed,” Mrs Morris said. “I banged on the door of the last CFS truck and told them I’m not worried about the house - could they just please save my kangaroos.”

Fire tore through their property after the pair evacuated on Friday night.

They fled with as many pets and animals as they could manage, taking the saved animals to friends and family outside of the fire zone.

The pair say they were initially denied access to return to their property and were turned back “three or four times” before finally making it home to the devastating scene.

It’s estimated that about 10 per cent of Kangaribilli Sanctuary’s more than 40 kangaroos perished in the blaze while a number of other creatures also died in the natural disaster.

“We had to evacuate,” Mrs Morris said.

“There were flames across the road and on top of the hills that are nearby. You could just see a huge wall of flames that was coming towards our place.”

But this isn’t the first time Mrs Morris has been faced with the devastating results of a disastrous bushfire.

It’s almost six years to the day that the Black Saturday bushfires tore apart Victorian communities and Mrs Morris was among the many who went over to help injured fauna and help out locals, who much like her now, needed help.

“We went through the fireground there as part of search and rescue,” she said.

“I know this all to well - we saw the devastation it can cause.”

Already though, the community and friends have rallied around the Humbug Scrub locals who have helped so many animals return to good health.

“Lots of people have been so helpful,” Mrs Morris said.

“Friends from the Native Animal Network, Willow Wood Sanctuary and many more who even brought generators up and food to keep us going through the night - and of course the CFS.”

Special care for wildlife and pets

A SPECIAL response team of vets and animal rescue officers has been deployed to the Adelaide Hills fireground to save sick and injured wildlife.

The team of about 15 vets and rescue officers from the South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM), the RSPCA and the Environment Department have begun to assess and recover native animals from the affected fire area between Kersbrook and One Tree Hill.

As the blaze still poses a risk to homes and lives, much of the surrounding area is still inaccessible to vehicles.

SAVEM co-ordinator Dr Rachel Westcott said the team had begun visiting homes to check the health of domestic pets and livestock affected by smoke inhalation and burns.

“We’ve checked everything from domestic pets to stock and poultry – most have been fine,” she said.

Dr Westcott said they will continue to treat injured wildlife over the coming days.

RSPCA SA chief executive officer Tim Vasudeva said three vehicles, including inspectors, rescue officers and support staff, responded to calls for assistance from property owners.

“We have been assisting residents and attending to pets and livestock who have been left behind, providing food, water and medical attention where needed,” he said.

“We have also come across numerous injured wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas, who have required treatment, rescuing and relocation.”

Mr Vasudeva said the RSPCA had been “inundated” with donations from the public.

“We are welcoming donations of stock feed at our Lonsdale shelter and donations of pet food, blankets, towels and other bedding at both our Lonsdale shelter and Stepney office,” he said.