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Volunteering for Wildlife Victoria PDF Print

Why not become a volunteer with Wildlife Victoria and help us better the plight of our State's wildlife!

 

To be eligible for volunteering with Wildlife Victoria you must be 18 years or older.

 

Here are some ways that you can volunteer with Wildlife Victoria:

 

Wildlife Rescuer

Volunteer With Wildlife Victoria

Volunteer rescuers respond to calls from the Emergency Phone Service to attend to the rescue of a sick, injured or orphaned native animal. The rescuer assesses the situation and depending on their experience will undertake the rescue or consult with a fellow rescuer or advisor about the case.

 

The rescuer then takes the animal to a licensed wildlife shelter, foster carer or veterinarian.

Wildlife Transporter

Volunteer with Wildlife Victoria

Volunteer transporters respond to calls from the Emergency Phone Service to take an animal to a licensed wildlife shelter, foster carer or veterinarian. A Transporter is only required when an injured animal has been contained however still requires transport to its destination.

 

FAQs about rescuing and transporting

 

What is the commitment from you?

You can nominate times that you are available. You can be called on at any time during those nominated hours.

 

Where will I rescue/transport wildlife?

You nominate how far you can travel, for example 5km from home, 30km from home.

 

Will I need to be trained?

It is a requirement that you successfully complete a Wildlife Victoria's Rescue and Transport Training session. Click here for information on the next available training session in your area.

 

Do I need a motor vehicle to be a rescuer/transporter?

Yes.

 

Volunteer with Wildlife Victoria

Wildlife Foster Carer

 

As a volunteer foster carer you can play a vital and practical role in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Caring for wildlife is very different from caring for domesticated animals and it can be very demanding. Volunteers first need to gain experience with wildlife and we recommend that you become a rescuer or transporter first off.

 

FAQs about foster caring

Do I need a licence to care for wildlife?

Yes. In Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) grants the licenses necessary to care for native wildlife. Click here to be redirected to the DSE website for more 

Volunteer with Wildlife Victoria

information.

 

As part of receiving your foster carer license, you will be matched to an experienced wildlife shelter operator that will train and mentor you through your initial stages. After twelve months you may wish to become a wildlife 'shelter' yourself and mentor new foster carers.

 

Wildlife Emergency Response

 

Emergency Response volunteers predominately work in the area of fires however they occasionally also cover floods, heat stress, marine mammal strandings, oil spills, as well as duck shooting season.

 

Below are the different Emergency Response roles that you can be involved in:

 

Volunteer with Wildlife VictoriaFire Ground Search and Rescue

Fire Ground Search and Rescue volunteers need to respond quickly to help search burnt areas for injured wildlife. A prerequisite for this role is the 'Basic Wildfire Awareness' (link to www.firetraining.org.au) (3-hour) course which can be completed online. To be eligible for this type of volunteer you must have a medium – high level of fitness.

 

Volunteer with Wildlife VictoriaTriage

Vets, vet staff or experienced licensed shelter operators with burns training are required to manage a triage set up where wildlife are taken from a fire ground.  Donations of medical supplies, particularly prescription drugs are very welcome.

 

Emergency Transport

These volunteers transport wildlife or equipment to rehabilitation or triage centres set up in emergency situations. Transporters will need their own vehicle and will cover their own petrol costs. This role could be suitable for people with no previous experience.

 

Volunteer with Wildlife Victoria

 

Shelter Assistant

You will be vital in assisting shelter operators in their work by supporting them with collecting nearby leaf for feeding, cleaning enclosures, and any other skills you may be able to offer during stressful emergency situations.

 

General Support

These volunteers might be involved in cooking meals for fire ground search and rescue volunteers, cleaning, equipment preparation, phone calls, or other general support related activities for volunteers on the fire grounds.

 

Volunteering for Wildlife Victoria can be demanding and difficult but ultimately rewarding as you are able to make a real difference to the fate of our native wildlife.

 

Thank you for considering this opportunity.

 

If you have any questions about volunteering, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .