Australia Weather News

The sandbags have been filled, the windows have been taped, and loose items have been secured as Cyclone Debbie approaches north Queensland.

But what's the plan for all the animals out there?

Whether they are domesticated or not, animals are not immure to what is to come.

Cyclone Debbie is expected to intensify into category four and cross south of Bowen before 10:00am on Tuesday.

Here's what's happening with animals — at home, in the zoo, and in the wild.

Animals in the wildlife sanctuary

Billabong Sanctuary, just south of Townsville, has been preparing its animals for Cyclone Debbie since Saturday.

Employees and volunteers have been helping to temporarily rehome some into pet-packs, while others have been fortified in their enclosures.

Ranger Julie Funnell said about 40 animals have been moved indoors.

"Our biggest animals like cassowary, they're pretty right in their enclosure. The emus already have a bit of a shelter and we've built a wall out of sandbags for them to get behind as well," Ms Funnell said.

"Our bettongs like to hide away in logs, so we've just sandbagged the logs so they've got a little bunker to get in.

"The staff have been great and we've got a really good group of volunteers that help us prepare."

Ms Funnell said they have also worked to secure loose items around the park such as rubbish bins and signs.

"Following Yasi we were closed for 12 weeks ... the main issue was falling trees," she said.

"We had a lot of trees down, some landed on enclosures."

Ms Funnell said she would remain on the park grounds along with the caretaker

"When it passes the priority is the animals make sure they're OK, then we'll check the grounds to see if anything is damaged."

Cats and dogs waiting for homes at RSPCA shelters

RSPCA has already evacuated more than 100 animals from its Townsville Animal Care Campus, as well as 70 from its Mackay Adoption Centre.

"We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has come forward," RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said.

"We were advised that it was unlikely we could access our Mackay Centre so all the animals there had to leave.

"We have approximately 160 dogs remaining in the Townsville Centre and they've made as secure and safe as possible.

"All the cats and dogs housed in the older wooden buildings have been evacuated.

"The willingness of the public to help has been quite overwhelming. Our shelter staff and volunteers want to say a huge 'thank you'."

Townsville shelter manager Anja Letz said they began contacting foster carers and put out a call for help to the public on Saturday.

"We had some dogs and cats left but they're all in a safe environment for the weather to come," Ms Letz said.

Ms Letz said they learned valuable lessons about preparations following Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

"I think this time we're much better prepared ... when the first warning came out we just started contacting people."

Injured animals in the wild

North Queensland Wildlife Care are expecting a large influx of calls for injured wildlife following Cyclone Debbie.

Volunteer Dominique Thiriet said they would have extra hands on board from tomorrow.

"After Yasi we had a large influx of animals coming in just after the cyclone, particularly birds falling out their nest," she said.

"We'll be ready for that this time ... we just have more people on hand that we know are going to be available and we've got a few points where people can drop off injured animals.

"We've done a few cyclones before ... every day is a busy day but usually after a cyclone or heavy wind generally we do get a lot of animals, particularly birds."

North Queensland Wildlife Care can be reached 24 hours a day on 0414 717 374.