Muchea saleyards provide safe haven for horses and alpacas evacuated as fire rages in Perth’s north-east

The Muchea saleyards has cancelled its first weekly cattle auction in at least a decade as the bustling livestock trading hub provides refuge to more than 300 horses and a handful of alpacas evacuated from a monster blaze in Perth’s north-east. WA Meat Industry Authority chief executive Greg Lott said more than half its cattle pens were holding horses — ranging from miniature ponies to larger Clydesdales. Most were from around the Muchea and Bullsbrook area. Mr Lott said more were on their way and the organisation welcomed any other livestock that needed safe haven from the raging fires. The saleyards have also become a temporary home for a handful of sheep, alpacas and miniature donkeys during the crisis. Mr Lott said WAMIA recognised there would be business implications and inconvenience caused by cancelling the weekly cattle sale, which is held each Monday with the exception of Christmas breaks. But he said animal welfare concerns overrode any disruption. “These are extreme times. So far, we’ve had no negative feedback,” he said. Mr Lott said donations by locals and businesses of hay and other feed had been rolling into the facility. WAMIA has rostered on additional staff to provide animal care given the facility is usually empty late in the week. Muchea’s weekly sheep sale — held on Tuesdays in a separate part of the centre — is set to proceed. Meanwhile, the Royal Agricultural Society of WA has made its facilities available to a range of animals, as well as families who can use the grounds for caravans or bunk rooms. Society commercial manager Michelle Carey said three families with a couple of dogs and six horses had arrived. There is also plans for 27 cats — owned by one breeder — to be housed within the cat pavilion.