Sharon's pet project - 'NO ANIMAL LEFT BEHIND!'

The volunteer offers creature comfort to those distressed in a disaster

- Kasia Jillings

By day, Sharon Parackal is a senior engineer running major construction projects while also studying for an MBA. But when there’s an emergency, the 32-year-old quickly puts her considerable skills to use with Animal Evac New Zealand (AENZ) – the only dedicated animal disaster management charity in the country.

Flash flooding in Auckland and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay has seen the exceptional organisation leap into action in recent weeks as life-threatening weather events forced people to leave their animals behind.

AENZ has a nationwide network of highly trained volunteers working to evacuate, support and advocate for animals in times of crisis.

For Sharon, this meant being called up as a deployment team leader – a new role to her but one she thrived in.

“We turned up in Māngere as it was transitioning from a 24-hour shelter to a community centre, not exactly sure what we’d find,” recalls Sharon, explaining the priority was creating a base where those affected could seek help. “We were given a corner and the mission grew from there.

“People had been told they couldn’t take their pets to Civil Defence shelters, so some were refusing to leave home. Once we realised this, we worked with other agencies to let the community know they could bring pets.